Former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef Urges Against Chicken Kapporot Ritual

Former Israeli Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef has issued a directive stating that the traditional pre-Yom Kippur ritual of "Kapporot" should not be performed using chickens. In a letter released Tuesday, Rabbi Yosef recommended using money instead, suggesting an amount equivalent to the cost of a chicken, approximately 35 shekels, to be donated to charity.

Rabbi Yosef's ruling stems from concerns about animal cruelty, emphasizing that the ritual cannot supersede the prohibition against causing unnecessary suffering to animals. He specifically warned against the conditions often found at mass Kapporot sites, where fowl are kept in inadequate enclosures without sufficient shade, food, or water, and are sometimes slaughtered without proper rabbinical or veterinary supervision. "One who performs this commandment with animal cruelty, we fear that he is not performing the custom at all, but rather transgressing a Torah-level prohibition against animal cruelty," he stated.

In many Haredi communities, the practice involves using chickens, often with the intention of donating the fowl after slaughter to the poor or using it for a pre-fast meal. The ancient custom involves swinging a chicken over one's head while reciting a prayer for atonement. While some traditions use fish or even plants as alternatives, the use of chickens has become widespread in certain Haredi neighborhoods.

This directive comes as the Chief Rabbis of Israel, David Yosef and Kalman Bar, announced that the recommended monetary donation for Kapporot this year would be around 30 shekels per person, with proceeds going to Torah and charity institutions. The Chief Rabbis also called for prayers for fallen soldiers and the recovery of the wounded.