Rock & ‘roll’ Rosh Hashanah? Kosher cannabis for the (high) holidays holidaze
Hi! High! Chai!
“From our Kosher facility to this Kosher strain, our Kosher Honey Apple Kush is quite possibly the most Kosher kush you’ll ever see. Did we mention it’s Kosher?” reads the Oy Vapes! website.
I even got to “meet” their rabbi, Avi Finegold who is a Canadian Rabbi based in Montreal, co-host of a popular Jewish podcast. Bonjour/Chai and “the man keeping everything Kosher at Oy Vapes!”
They also share on oyvapes.ca that their Kosher Honey Apple Kush comes in between 50%-70% THC. Now that's something to kvell about!”
Did you know there was Kosher Cosher Cannabis? Me neither! That is until, a few weeks ago, when I walked into a new dispensary in my area. I walked out with a couple pot pens. But more importantly, I also did some retail therapy.
Hanging on a wall was a T-shirt. On the front it read “OY Vapes!” On the back, it read, “How Chai (חי) Are You?” (Or it could also read, “Chai, (חי) how are you?” A happy coincidence!)
This shirt made me laugh uncontrollably and yes, I was 100 percent sober! I bought the entire stash — no pun intended — of the handful of these T-shirts they had in their store. Why? They are so fucking brilliant and I didn’t want any one else to have one.
Chai (חי) is the Hebrew word for life. The word, consisting of two Hebrew letters —chet (ח) and yud (י)— is a Jewish symbol, frequently appearing on pendants and other jewelry.
Unlike the Indian tea chai, which is pronounced with the “ch” sound of “chocolate,” the Hebrew chai is pronounced with the same “kh” sound as in challah. Both words rhyme with “high,” however.
Chai also refers to the number 18. That’s because each Hebrew letter has a numerical equivalent, and the sum of chet (numerical value of 8) and yud (numerical value of 10) is 18. As a result of its connection to the word for life, the number 18 is considered a special number in Jewish tradition. For this reason, Jews frequently make gifts or charitable contributions in multiples of $18.
In Hebrew, chai is often referred to in the plural form, as our toast l’chaim (לחים), which, as anyone who has seen Fiddler on the Roof knows, means “to life.”
Well, l’chaim (לחים) to you! Guess What? We’re giving away five of these hilarious “Oy Vape!/How Chai are you?” T-shirts. (Scroll down after this short Q and A about Kosher cannabis to enter to win one of five of these T-shirts!)
Of course, I needed to know more, not just about these high-larious T-shirts but also about the Kosher pot —- specifically one strain for Rosh Hashanah called OY Vapes Kosher Honey Kush — and yes I can guarantee two things: Kosher pot tastes better thank Kosher wine. And, yes, I will be wearing my Oy Vapes! T-shirt to celebrate How Chai Are You? T-shirts of which I’ll probably lie say, “It says ‘Chai (חי). How are you?’” —instead of it’s intended, “How Chai (חי) are you?”
So, here’s what you need to know about Kosher pot and 10 things you should know to help tou chill the fuck out during this happy, yet stressful Jewish Holidays, thanks to Shaun, the National stakeholder Director/Manager of Oy Vapes!
Kosher Kannabis? Forget about Oy Vey! Welcome to Oy Vapes!
RE:BOOKS: Who came up with Oy Vapes and that T-shirt I bought with “Chai. How are you?” or “How Chai are?” shirt? SO Brilliant! (Was it meant to be both or was that a happy coincidence?) 😂 Can you give us a bit about how this all came to be?
Oy VAPES: The idea for Oy Vapes was created by Edan Wolk and Lenny Kerman. The shirt and slogan is absolutely deliberate. It is supposed to be read as "How Chai are you?”
RE:BOOKS: What is it about pot that would make it unKosher, other than flower?
OY VAPES: Cannabis itself is absolutely Kosher, or I should say there is nothing about Cannabis that is not Kosher. Where you start getting into issues is with Edibles and for some in the Orthodox Community, how it is processed and packaged. OY Vapes has been certified Kosher by Rabbi Avi Finegold in Montreal.
RE:BOOKS: Where does a rabbi make weed Kosher and how? Is it blessed? And how?
OY VAPES: The Rabbi was at the facility during the entire production process up to and including the filling of the "OY Vape Cartridges.”
RE:BOOKS: People don’t seem to know how much pot orthodox people smoke! Did you see a niche for Kosher pot? Or was it more of a fun thing to advertise?
OY VAPES: The idea behind OY Vapes is primarily to have a fun innovative brand in the marketplace. This industry is supposed to be about fun and innovation and we sometimes forget that. Saying that, there is absolutely a niche market for Kosher Cannabis.
RE:BOOKS: Do people literally walk in and ask, “I’m looking for Kosher pot/THC?” (Like secret Jewish pot smokers?) Does it taste/smell any different than non-Kosher pot?
OY VAPES: I think it is more of "Wow, we did not even know that Kosher was available that is so cool."
RE:BOOKS: Who came up with the Rosh Hashanah strain with honey? Again, so brilliant! What exactly is in it that makes it different and perfect for the upcoming HIGH holiday!
OY VAPES: The strain design is absolutely intentional as was the product launch prior to Rosh Hashanah. Edan and Melissa were the driving forces behind the brand and strain.
RE:BOOKS: Can you share a funny story about Kosher pot? Like a customer saying something or asking something that made you laugh? Again, I just think Kosher pot is such an amazing idea! Who knew?
OY VAPES: The best story I can share was someone asking how they can consume "Kosher Pot" during Yom Kippur. The answer provided to them by his Rabbi- not completely tongue in cheek was to take a suppository prior to Yom Kippur and that should tide him over.
RE:BOOKS: Why should we try Kosher weed? And should I bring some Kosher pot to Rosh Hashanah dinner? (This is just a fun one!)
OY VAPES: I think that a new menu item as an alternative to traditional apple and honey should absolutely be the OY Vapes Kosher Honey Kush. It will make the meal much more enjoyable and will certainly create new table conversations.
RE:BOOKS: I’ve never heard of Kosher pot before so I find it fascinating. What are most people’s reactions when you tell them you have/sell Kosher pot? (I was super excited and I’m not even Kosher!)
OY VAPES: The initial reaction is disbelief and for some relief that there is even such a product available. One does not have to be Kosher to appreciate the need and coolness factor of a Kosher Cannabis product created by a Jewish individual with the real birth name of Cartel.
RE:BOOKS: And, finally, where can we reach you and buy those T-shirts and your Kosher pot?
OY VAPES: The Website is www.oyvapes.ca. We can arrange to get you five shirts immediately no problem!
RE:BOOKS: Great! What about the OY Vapes Kosher Honey Kush? I’m kidding! Happy New Year!
So, again, l’chaim (לחים) Forward this to a friend and enter here to win one of these hoildaze shirts! We're giving away five of them!
xo
Rebecca “How Chai Are You”