A maybe weird question here... any orthodox Jewish turners here?
Google seems to indicate that I'm good, but I'd like confirmation from someone really familiar with orthodox laws.
Some folks a couple of blocks away from me had a VERY large birch taken down. All of the branches and detritus were taken away, but the logs were left on the lawn. I left them a note asking if they would be interesting in trading a couple of the logs for a bowl made with the wood of their own tree. They called and accepted my offer.
When I picked the wood up, they were very concerned that any finish I used be both natural and kosher. My thought was to use Tung oil. It's food safe and natural... but is it Kosher? Google seems to indicate yes, but I want to be 100% absolutely certain.
Can anyone advise?
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u/74CA_refugee 1d ago
https://a.co/d/4uXGPZK Is a certified Kosher option. Do it right and complete. Word of mouth will keep you in wood ongoing!
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u/drsfmd 1d ago
This one is interesting. Is it actually a finish though? I intend to do it right, out of respect, whether or not I get more wood in tge future (though that would be a great additional benefit!)
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u/74CA_refugee 4h ago
Yes cutting board oil is a finish commonly used on bowls. Many people use walnut, olive or other plant based oils. They need to be re-applied in the future to keep the bowl, cutting board, tray,etc in good condition. If the bowl is to be used, then this is the way. If it is going to sit on a shelf somewhere then perhaps a different oil. Tung oil that you mentioned in your original thread is derived from a specific species of tree. Even after multiple coats of tung oil are cured, if the bowl is used, washed and dried, eventually it will need to be re-applied. It is not permanently stable, but the question was whether it is Kosher or not to meet the request. A certified Kosher oil would be the best choice. Even give them the rest of the bottle so that they have it to reapply. Just a thought.
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u/borometalwood 1d ago
Hey! Thanks so much for asking.
The first thing to know is regardless of the finish you pick, the family will need to tovel it, dunk it in water, and will likely kasher it, pour boiling water over/dunk in boiling water, regardless.
For this reason I would choose an oil like walnut oil or a beeswax/oil blend that they can re apply as time goes on. Whichever finish you pick, give them the bottle you use with the bowl so they can see the label and use it over time.
If you choose an oil/beeswax blend, apply the oil first to let it soak in, then add the wax on top. Let them know they can mix these together with low heat in their own pot to make a paste that applies easily by hand. Do NOT mix these for them in your own pot.
Here’s the two that I use, the blend smells great and works really well.
Thank you again!!
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u/drsfmd 1d ago
Thank you-- this is very helpful. I'm going to have to search for a smaller container-- I definitely don't need a gallon of walnut oil! :)
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u/Semantix 1d ago
Maybe a food oil like walnut or flaxseed oil, that might have a kosher certification? I can't think of any reason that tung oil or even polyurethane wouldn't be kosher, but showing them a bottle of food-grade kosher oil might be simplest.
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u/drsfmd 1d ago
That's actually where my search started. I can't find anything that's certified. Hence why I've asked the question.
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u/Semantix 1d ago
Here's one that's Kosher for passover, but it doesn't seem to come in smaller containers. https://www.amazon.com/Gefen-Nutrients-Chemicals-Preservatives-Passover/dp/B0BW1B2CXZ/
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u/Marklar0 1d ago
The problem here is that Kosher varies from congregation to congregation...they probably need to ask their Rabbi
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u/drsfmd 1d ago
So nothing that would be universal?
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u/Paulimus1 1d ago
You'd probably be okay assuming the strictest levels of Kosher (i.e. orthodox kosher for passover) which can be very complicated. Best to ask their rabbi. If they're orthodox they probably live close to the temple sonit shouldn't be difficult for you, just don't call during Shabbat (Friday sundown to Sunday sunup)
You can usually tell how observant someone is by the way they dress. Do the men have sidelocks (pe'ot)? Do the women wear their own hair or a wig or kerchief? Do the men wear tzitzit? Do you see them walking to Temple on Saturdays?
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u/drsfmd 1d ago
Yes, they are orthodox. There's an orthodox synagogue just a couple of blocks away.
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u/Paulimus1 1d ago
There's even different 'flavors' and strictness for orthodox. Lubovitchers are stricter than your garden variety orthodox. There's even the ultra orthodox.
That being said you've got some great advice in other comments, so I'm sure you'll do it right. Quite a way to complete a mitzvah!
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u/PraxicalExperience 1d ago
Y'know, since you know they go to that synagogue, why not call them up? I'm sure someone'll be glad to give you an answer.
That said I'm pretty much 100% sure any seed oil will be kosher, but shellac might not be. (Not jewish but more familiar with their dietary laws than most. Insects -- except for a few different types of locusts -- aren't kosher, so that's why shellac is probably out.)
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u/SharkShakers 1d ago
For finishing bowls I use La Tourangelle Walnut oil which is certified Kosher according to their website. I also use beeswax as a final coating, which according to google is also kosher. I'm use these products for eco-friendly purposes, but I'm happy to discover they're also kosher.
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u/ignatzami 1d ago
I grew up around a varied Jewish population, many of them woodworkers and I don’t think this question was ever asked! I have nothing constructive to add besides a sincere thank you that you’re taking this seriously!
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u/1-719-266-2837 1d ago
Tung oil is made from tree seeds, so PURE tung oil is kosher. I would not use shellac or anything with beeswax.
Edited to add: you could always ask them to verify the finish before applying it.
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u/drsfmd 1d ago edited 1d ago
I would not use shellac or anything with beeswax.
I figured out shellac likely wasn't Kosher on my own (I mostly use shellac). I hadn't thought of beeswax-- thank you for pointing that one out.
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u/Fewluvatuk 1d ago
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u/1-719-266-2837 1d ago
Jesus that is expensive.
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u/Fewluvatuk 1d ago
I mean..... it's 11 pounds.... lol sorry I didn't see that.
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u/1-719-266-2837 1d ago
No need to apologize. I was just shocked at the price.
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u/Fewluvatuk 1d ago
OK, I've got to know, what's the story behind your user name?
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u/1-719-266-2837 1d ago
Just a number I've had stored for as long as I can remember. I think it was a college project.
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u/CuddlefishFibers 1d ago
I'm pretty sure beeswax would be a safe bet. I would imagine straight up tung oil is fine (as long as you got the stuff without all the driers etc) Though there's always gonna be disagreements about every single rule. Could just ask if they're cool with tung oil?
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u/jrp55262 1d ago
I just got a jug of this to try for bowl finishing: certified Kosher for passover and everything: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW1B2CXZ
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