ABOUT STAR-S

Serving the needs of US Sephardic Communities

STAR-S is a Sephardic Mehadrin Kashrut certification, developed in coordination with STAR-K and the support of an international network of kosher certified companies, to meet the kashrut needs of Sephardic communities around the globe, according to the minhagim of both Sephardim and Bnei Edot Hamizrach.

The mission of STAR-S is to provide Sephardic communities with products that meet the highest kashrut standards and which abide by Sephardic chumrot in four areas: Bishul Beit Yosef, Chalak Beit Yosef meats, Yashan grain products, and Hamotzi breads. These are explained further below.

  • 1. Bishul Beit Yosef
    While Ashkenazim require Bishul Yisrael, according to Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 113, the Rama permits foods cooked by an aino-Yehudi, provided the fires are lit by a Yisrael. Per Maran Beit Yosef, these foods should not be consumed unless at least the first third of the cooking was performed by a Yisrael.
  • 2. Chalak Beit Yosef
    Chalak Beit Yosef is a kosher standard for beef that meets the requirements of Maran Beit Yosef. Maran Beit Yosef does not permit animals with certain blemishes on their lungs, even though the Rama permits this. Glatt Kosher lamb and veal do meet Beit Yosef's standard.
  • 3. Yashan
    While many Ashkenazic communities outside of Eretz Yisrael are lenient concerning grain products that are not Yashan, Maran Beit Yosef and all Sephardic communities are machmir in this regard.
  • 4. Hamotzi Bread
    Rama rules that all bread that qualifies as Turita d'Nahama is considered to be Hamotzi. Maran Beit Yosef rules that bread with sweetness or taste is Mezonot. Therefore, many challot and rolls are considered to be Mezonot by Sephardim.

STAR-S also pioneered domestic production of Kitniyot l'Pesach to a Mehadrin standard.

Star-K – Providing International Kosher Certification for over 50 years.

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