Kapparot, Bnei Brak - 2014

Kapparot is a Jewish ritual practiced by some Orthodox Jews on the eve of Yom Kippur; A live rooster (for a male) or a hen (for a female) are held above the person’s head and moved in a circle three times, while the following is spoken: “This is my exchange, my substitute, my atonement; this rooster (or hen) shall go to its death, but I shall go to a good, long life, and to peace.” The chicken is then slaughtered and donated to the poor for consumption at the pre-fast meal. Yom Kippur - also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jewish people traditionally observe this holy day with an approximate 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services. Most Jews oppose the use of chickens for Kapparot on the grounds of “Tza'ar Ba'alei Chayim" (the principle banning cruelty to animals) and uses a bundle of coins as a substitute. Bnei Brak is one of the poorest and most densely populated cities in Israel, the majority of the residents are Haredi Jews