Friday, November 2, 2007

Thanks, RWAC!

Despite his strong inclination to defer on-line halachic questions to local halachic authorities, Rabbi Without A Cause (RWAC) graciously agreed to answer Sephardi Lady's question about the need to tovel (ritually immerse) my homemade cookie cutter:

Hello Carolyn,

Thanks for your email.

I generally tell people to ask their local authorities, because I'm a big believer in the idea that local rabbis should determine local practice.

That said, from my point of view there is no need to tovel this cookie cutter, assuming a Jew made it. The steps you outline qualify as creating an implement from scratch, and an implement created by a Jew does not need tevilah.

Be well,
RWAC

Thank you so much, RWAC!

One of my daughters is home sick today, so we just might make another batch of camel cookies, just in case the pending hurricane hits Boston. (Why do Emergency Preparedness Supply Lists always forget to list cookies?)

4 comments, so far. Add yours now!

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Orthonomics said...

Feeling silly now. I was thinking of the original material. You learn something new every day.

And sometimes I think it would be easier to make my own pottery than go toivel it in the local kelim mikvah. :)

Miriam said...

lol re: cookies. I didn't know we could as RWAC online questions. Great to know.

Juggling Frogs said...

Sephardi Lady,

It's always better to ask. At the very minimum, you saved someone else from asking.

Re: pottery - Any excuse to start a new hobby sounds good to me!

Miriam,
NO!!!! He doesn't "do" questions, usually. That's why I wrote that introduction, and why I included (at his request) his comment that he wants people to ask their local authority.

And he's so right. He's anonymous, so we can't *really* ask for psak. He has this great blog about issues, that would get bogged down in "ask the rabbi" questions if everyone started doing that

Please understand that this was a one-time exception.

I'd feel terrible if this is misunderstood because of me.

Miriam said...

Ok, sorry.

If you liked this article, congratulations! You have great taste. Please brew yourself a cup of coffee.
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