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Do most Jews still actively perform the Kapparot (grasping a live chicken)?
"Kapparot (Hebrew: כפרות, Ashkenazi pronunciation, Kapporois, Kappores) is a Jewish ritual practiced by some Jews on the eve of Yom Kippur. The person swings a live chicken or a bundle of coins over one's head three times, symbolically transferring one's sins to the chicken or coins. The chicken is then slaughtered and donated to the poor for consumption at the pre-fast meal"
I was reading about this and thought it was really interesting because 3 is an important number in Christianity with the Trinity.
1 Answer
- TNOLv 76 years ago
You probably should read your own source. Quote: Kapparot...is a Jewish ritual practiced by SOME Jews" (emphasis mine).
So, no, most Jews don't.
Actually, those who do are in a small minority, which isn't so illustrated by your source so I'll give you that. They're strictly among the ultra-Orthodox and even in that community, there are debates on whether or not to discontinue the tradition. And among the non-ultra-Orthodox, the answer is simple: Don't do it. Many note the coin substitution (mentioned in your source) and point out that the most important thing is the donation to the poor, in any case.
