Zohar Kashrut System Gains Historic Official Certification Under Chief Rabbinate Regulation

Following prolonged legal proceedings at the Supreme Court, the Zohar Kashrut system has received official recognition as a kosher certification body under the regulation of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. The approval was granted today by the Chief Rabbinate's CEO, marking a historic and unprecedented step that is expected to strengthen Israel's kosher certification framework, enhance transparency, reduce costs, and boost public trust in kosher supervision.

Since its establishment in 2018, Zohar has supervised hundreds of businesses, hotels, and institutional kitchens, rigorously adhering to halachic standards and implementing advanced oversight mechanisms. These include formal employment of supervisors, clear separation between the business and the supervisor, and full transparency with the public. Following the decision, Zohar has issued updated kosher certificates to most of the businesses under its supervision, now including the word "kosher."

Rabbi Emmanuel Gadag, CEO of Zohar Kashrut, welcomed the decision, calling it a historic milestone for a professional, state-supervised kosher system that operates responsibly and according to Jewish law. He emphasized Zohar's commitment to professionalism, halachic responsibility, and transparency, aiming to expand kosher certification in Israel and better serve kosher-observant consumers. Rabbi Gadag expressed hope that this licensing will raise lawmakers' awareness of the importance of dedicated kosher organizations that pay their supervisors and inspectors fairly and work wholeheartedly to strengthen kosher standards in Israel.