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.
