Shalom Rav
Do you mind elaborating on your website vs. Oheltorah? There seems to be a discrepancy. I have read posts on OhelTorah where people have asked about eating out, and the response the one asking got “One may NOT eat fish or pasta at a non-kosher restaurant.” This seems to be a very different approach than what you are bringing to the table. Do you mind explaining the difference of opinion amongst the students of your father? What did your father have to say about eating in non-Kosher establishments? Is both Kashrut.org and OhelTorah claiming to be the authentic R Yitzchak Abadi ZT”l approach, or is one website offering their own opinions as well? Thanks for the clarification.
Thank you for your thoughtful question. You are correct that there appear to be differences between what is written on Kashrut.org and what is presented on OhelTorah.
Without getting into personalities or creating unnecessary conflict, it is important to clarify the following point. Not every website or individual who associates themselves with my father, Rabbi Yitzhak Abadi zt”l, is necessarily presenting his teachings accurately or with authorization.
My father was very careful about who was permitted to answer halachic questions in his name. For many decades, I worked closely with him, discussed these issues with him directly, and was involved in applying his approach in practical situations. The material presented on Kashrut.org reflects that long-term, direct involvement and guidance.
Other platforms may include individuals who learned with him or were influenced by him to some degree, but that does not automatically mean they were authorized to issue rulings in his name or that they are presenting his views precisely as he held them. In many cases, what you are seeing there reflects their own understanding or approach, which may differ significantly.
Because of that, I generally recommend that a person choose a single reliable source for guidance rather than going back and forth between different sites that may be based on different assumptions and methodologies. Consistency is very important in halacha.
As for your underlying question about eating in non-kosher establishments, that is itself a complex topic, and my father’s approach was nuanced and based on careful analysis of ingredients, equipment, and real-world conditions—not broad, sweeping prohibitions without distinction. That methodology is explained in detail throughout this website.
In short, while others may sincerely believe they are representing my father’s views, the content here reflects direct transmission and decades of involvement, and that is what you should rely on if you are seeking his authentic approach.
It is also important to add one more point. Since my father is no longer able to guide and has now passed away, there are naturally questions that arise today that were never directly addressed with him. In those cases, the responsibility falls on me to answer based on the training I received from him and my own rabbinical background.
I was trained over many years in how to analyze and apply halacha, and I continue to follow my father’s approach in the overwhelming majority of cases. At the same time, when new situations arise, I apply that same methodology to reach a conclusion responsibly and honestly.
Psak halacha requires extensive learning, experience, and careful judgment. It is not simply a matter of repeating general ideas or attributing positions to a great rabbi. There is a process, a depth of knowledge, and a level of responsibility that comes with issuing rulings.
For that reason, even when answers reflect my own application going forward, they are rooted in decades of training and direct transmission. Others who may be answering in his name do not necessarily have that background, that level of training, or that authorization.