Practice Pidyon Kaparot with Colel Chabad

What Does Kaparot Mean?

Kaparot, also spelled kapparot or kaporos, is a Hebrew term that directly translates to ‘atonements’ in English. It references the religious ritual orthodox Jews practice during the Jewish High Holidays, usually leading up to Yom Kippur eve and the Day of Atonement itself. The purpose is to atone for wrongdoing with the symbolic transfer of one’s sins to a chicken or bird.

The History of Pidyon Kaparot

Kaparot is rooted in the Talmud (an ancient authoritative text of Jewish law) and has been practiced for centuries. Many rabbis and Jewish scholars believe the customary atonement ritual originated in ninth century Babylon. It gained popularity among Ashkenazi Jews in medieval Europe and spread to other Jewish communities worldwide.

What Does the Kaparot Ritual Include?

The steps of the Kapparot ritual are as follows:

• Obtain a white chicken (or hen for women) or a sum of money as a substitute
• Recite Yom Kippur prayers while swinging the rooster/money over one’s head 3 times
• Traditionally, you repeat this process two more times
• Transfer one’s sins symbolically to the rooster/money
• Humanely slaughter the chicken (if using a live animal) according to kosher laws
• Donating the bird (or the equivalent monetary value) to charity
• Reflect on repentance and the need for atonement

What Does the Modern Kaparot Ritual Look Like?

These days, many Jews perform the Kapparot ritual with money instead of a live animal. Its symbolism is not lost as the funds replace the chickens or other animals used — and a person’s fate is symbolically transferred onto it.

The money collected from this ritual is then donated to charity, enabling Orthodox Jews to perform Kaparot with an even greater level of piety.

The decision to donate to Israeli charities is arguably the best way to offer Pidyon Kaparot in today’s day and age. Many rabbis have stated that monetary donations will often go much further than slaughtered birds for families with modern needs and bills to pay.

Even Alter Rebbe Shulchan Aruch 605:4 states:

“It is customary to give the [live chickens used for] kaparos to the poor. However, it is preferable to redeem them with money and to distribute the money among the poor, so that they will not be embarrassed by being given chickens that were used to secure atonement.”

In other words, financial offerings align much more with the sacrificial spirit of Pidyon Kaparot on Yom Kippur, and offer a greater sense of tzedakah.

Monetary Substitutions: Donating to Charities for Kaparot

Philanthropy and tzedakah are important obligations every day of the Jewish calendar year. When the High Holidays roll around, Kaparot is just one of many ways Jews offer it. We can atone for wrongdoing by supporting any of the many worthy Jewish charities operating across the diaspora today. It’s simply a matter of deciding how much to give, and to whom.

Several charities in Israel actively accept donations for Kaparot. In addition to traditional tzedakah boxes, these organizations offer secure online payment options and even mobile applications, like Colel Chabad’s Pushka App, that enable Jewish philanthropists to give from anywhere in the world.

Celebrating the Day of Atonement with Volunteer Work

While many know how to do kaparot with money, not everyone appreciates the value of non-monetary substitutions. How can you volunteer to help Jewish Charities? 

In the section below, we’ll detail some great ways for you to help those in need.These acts of chesed (loving-kindness) not only benefit others but also provide personal growth and reflection, aligning perfectly with the introspective nature of the High Holidays.