Lighting the Chanukah Menorah with olive oil without kashrut certification
Question
I received a bottle of olive oil from a farmer friend without kashrut certification. The oil is of excellent quality and intended for consumption. I refrained from eating it due to kashrut considerations. Is it permissible, lechatchilah, to light the Chanukah menorah with this oil? Does the fact that there may be kashrut issues render the oil unusable (i.e., should it be discarded)?
Answer
If there is a concern that the oil is orlah, it should not be used to light the Chanukah menorah. Orlah is a prohibited benefit and is nullified in a mixture only in a ratio of 1:200.
Regarding terumot and ma’aserot, it is permissible to separate them now.
As for other additives, there appears to be no concern for using it to light the Chanukah menorah.
Therefore, it is best to ask your friend whether the trees are new or old. If the trees are old (above the age of three), there is no concern of orlah. Regarding tithing, tithes can be separated from the oil, after which it may be used.