Kapparot for penance and purification - Jerusalem

01/08

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In spite of protest from animal welfare organisations and even some parts of the Haredi community, traditional butcher, "Shochet" Deutsch, preserves the ancient ritual of "Kapparot" just a few days before Yom Kippur.

02/08

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03/08

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04/08

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05/08

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Jerusalem Municipality sets aside an area near the Machane Yehuda Market for the ancient ritual of "Kapparot" just a few days before Yom Kippur.

06/08

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07/08

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Slaughtered poultry is thrown, head first, into metal cones until blood drains into tubs following the ancient ritual of "Kapparot" just a few days before Yom Kippur.

08/08

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Slaughtered poultry in filth and stench (foreground) following the ancient ritual of "Kapparot" just a few days before Yom Kippur.

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In spite of protest from animal welfare organisations and even some parts of the Haredi community, "Shochet" Deutsch, preserves the ancient ritual of "Kapparot" just a few days before Yom Kippur. Jerusalem, Israel. 3rd October 2011

Kapparot, the sacrifice of hens may be traced to sacrifices in the ancient temple. It may be a remnant of pagan practices and superstitions. It's not quite clear. This is the prayer recited as the live chicken is waved three times above the head just prior to it being butchered: “This is my exchange, this is my substitute, this is my atonement. This chicken will go to its death while I will enter and proceed to a good long life, and peace“.
Although most Israeli Jews substitute chicken-based Kapparot with a monetary donation to the poor recent surveys have determined that over 60% of secular Israeli Jews do indeed fast on Yom Kippur, preserving a tradition passed down over the generations.