Chief Rabbi Warns Against Cruel Practices in Pre-Yom Kippur Ritual

The Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, has issued a halachic ruling cautioning against the common practice of "Kaparot" (atonement) using live chickens, particularly in mass gatherings, ahead of Yom Kippur. He urges the public to opt for performing the ritual with money instead, to avoid causing animal suffering.

Rabbi Yosef highlighted the ancient and important nature of the Kaparot ritual, observed by Jewish communities for generations. However, he stressed that performing a mitzvah cannot justify violating other religious prohibitions, specifically the prohibition against causing unnecessary suffering to animals, which is a Torah-level offense.

He expressed concern over the conditions often found at mass Kaparot sites, where chickens may be kept in unsuitable environments without adequate shade, food, or water, and slaughtered without proper rabbinical and veterinary supervision. "One who performs this mitzvah with the transgression of causing suffering to animals, we fear that they are not fulfilling the custom at all, but rather transgressing the Torah prohibition against causing suffering to animals," Rabbi Yosef stated.

The ruling specifies that when it cannot be ensured that the Kaparot ritual with chickens is performed without animal suffering and under appropriate halachic conditions, the ritual should be conducted using money designated for charity.

Rabbi Yosef noted that his father, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, followed this practice in his later years, performing Kaparot with money and stating, "This money will go to charity." Regarding the amount, Rabbi Yosef advised individuals to give according to their ability, suggesting that an amount equivalent to the cost of a chicken, approximately 35 shekels, is appropriate. He concluded his letter with a prayer for a good and peaceful inscription in the book of the righteous.