Explore Our Mission

»  The story of Kashrut.org is deeply rooted in the history and legacy of Rabbi Yitzhak Abadi. Arriving from Israel in the 1950s, Rabbi Abadi studied at the Lakewood Yeshiva under Rabbi Aaron Kotler. After Rabbi Kotler’s passing, Rabbi Abadi became a leading halachic authority in the town

» As a Sephardic Jew of Syrian heritage who studied under primarily Ashkenazic rabbis, Rabbi Abadi was uniquely positioned to bridge cultural divides. Known for his ability to address complex halachic questions, he provided tailored guidance that respected diverse Jewish traditions.

» Kashrut.org was founded in the 1980s by Rabbi Abadi’s son, Rabbi Aaron Abadi. The inspiration came when, as teenagers, Rabbi Aaron and his siblings noticed that American rabbinical supervision primarily served Ashkenazic Jews. This created challenges for Sephardic Jews, especially during Passover, when products like rice and beans (Kitniyot), permissible for Sephardic Jews, were often unavailable due to Ashkenazic customs.

» With their father’s guidance, the Abadi siblings began researching and compiling a list of products suitable for Sephardic Jews during Passover. Initially shared among friends and neighbors, the list’s popularity grew, leading to its dissemination by mail and later by fax. With the advent of the internet, Kashrut.org was established, making the Pesach list accessible online.

» What began with the Pesach list quickly expanded to encompass all aspects of Jewish practice. For over 30 years, our Q&A forum has provided a platform for addressing various Jewish law and practice questions. Rabbi Abadi Senior dedicated his life to teaching authentic, meaningful Judaism, free from unnecessary complications and emotional burdens.

» Due to Rabbi Yitzhak Abadi’s health concerns, Rabbi Aaron Abadi is now continuing this mission. While deeply inspired by his father’s halachic rulings and approach, Rabbi Aaron
offers his own guidance, reflecting a similar dedication to fostering authentic, meaningful, and spiritually enriching Judaism.

» Judaism, as presented on Kashrut.org, emphasizes understanding and appreciating the authentic meanings and values behind customs and rules. We recognize that religious practice is not black-and-white; it’s a spectrum where everyone is on their unique journey toward spiritual growth. Our goal is to foster a non-judgmental environment focused on positive, healthy, and spiritual development.

» In addition to the Pesach list, we now offer year-round kosher guidance, a comprehensive Q&A forum, and educational content on Jewish laws. We aim to differentiate between Torah mandates, rabbinical restrictions, and customs, providing clarity and understanding.

» Looking forward, we plan to introduce a podcast series to further elucidate Jewish laws and customs. Our objective is to build a rich repository of knowledge, covering all aspects necessary for practicing Judaism with authenticity and depth.