Search Results for “kapporos”

Kol Korei About Kapporos Signed By Gedolim Is Issued By Agudath Israel Of America

September 23, 2014 1:00 pm No Comments

Reissuing a Rabbinic statement (Kol Korei) that was first published seven years ago and that remains relevant today, Agudath Israel of America is calling upon the community to exercise care regarding the custom of kapporos before Yom Kippur. Given the size of the community, and the large volume of chickens that will be handled in the upcoming days, the practice of kapporos needs to be conducted in a manner that ensures that proper standards of kashrus, cleanliness, and humane treatment of animals, as defined by halacha, are met. This can be achieved by patronizing only those establishments that are under appropriate rabbinic supervision. CLICK HERE TO VIEW IN LARGE ENGLISH TRANSLATION: KOL KOREI To All Our Jewish Brethren, Hashem’s Blessings Upon You! As the y’mei ho’rachamim ve’hadin rapidly approach, and as Jews will soon be fulfilling the minhag of Kapporos during the Aseres Yimei Teshuva, we wish to emphasize the need for all public Kapporos centers to be under the exacting Hashgacha of a competent Rav Hamachshir to ensure that all aspects of this “minhag vasikin” (Rama, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 605) are done properly in accordance with halacha. Halachic authorities have long pointed out the need for special care to be taken during the Kapporos process that the chickens be slaughtered and processed properly, especially on Erev Yom Kippur, when many shochtim spend long hours shechting large volumes of chickens (as discussed in Mishneh Berurah, ibid, se’if koton beis). A proper Hashgocha will oversee all aspects of kashrus throughout the entire process, including the proper handling of the chickens prior to shechita so as to avoid fractures or other defects that would render the chickens treif; the validity of the shechita itself, including the necessary periodic checking of the knife used for shechita; the post-shechita internal bedika; and the proper kashering of the chickens (soaking, salting and rinsing). In addition to these kashrus matters, the Hashgocha will also ensure that all other relevant halachos are carefully adhered to throughout the Kapporos process, including such matters as health and safety concerns (both those that concern the wellbeing of those who handle the chickens, as well as those that concern the safety of the food); scrupulous compliance with the Torah’s laws of tza’ar ba’alei chayim throughout the entire process of storing, transporting and handling the chickens, which should be done by responsible adults, not children; ensuring that a live chicken that has already been used for Kapporos by one individual should not be reused for Kapporos by another individual; and sensitivity to tzniyus concerns, to avoid improper mingling to the extent possible. We have enlisted the assistance of a group of distinguished local Rabbonim to work together with the proprietors and sponsors of Kapporos centers and with Mashgichim to implement proper standards, and to oversee the centers to ensure that nothing improper transpires in the Kapporos process. We therefore call upon the entire tzibbur to patronize only those Kapporos centers that are under the exacting Hashgacha of expert Rabbonim. In the z’chus of carrying out this minhag vasikin properly, in full compliance with halacha, may we all be zocheh to kapporas avonos, and to be inscribed in the Book of the Righteous for a good and blessed year. To this we have placed our signatures, for the benefit of the community,

Kapporos Kol Korei from Agudath Israel of America

September 9, 2013 10:00 am 3 Comments

Reissuing a Rabbinic statement (Kol Korei) that was first published six years ago and that remains relevant today, Agudath Israel of America is calling upon the community to exercise care regarding the custom of kapporos before Yom Kippur. Given the size of the community, and the large volume of chickens that will be handled in the upcoming days, the practice of kapporos needs to be conducted in a manner that ensures that proper standards of kashrus, cleanliness, and humane treatment of animals, as defined by halacha, are met. This can be achieved by patronizing only those establishments that are under appropriate rabbinic supervision. The English translation of the Kol Korei follows: To All Our Jewish Brethren, Hashem’s Blessings Upon You! As the y’mei ho’rachamim ve’hadin rapidly approach, and as Jews will soon be fulfilling the minhag of Kapporos during the Aseres Yimei Teshuva, we wish to emphasize the need for all public Kapporos centers to be under the exacting Hashgacha of a competent Rav Hamachshir to ensure that all aspects of this “minhag vasikin” (Rama, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 605) are done properly in accordance with halacha. Halachic authorities have long pointed out the need for special care to be taken during the Kapporos process that the chickens be slaughtered and processed properly, especially on Erev Yom Kippur, when many shochtim spend long hours shechting large volumes of chickens (as discussed in Mishneh Berurah, ibid, se’if koton beis). A proper Hashgocha will oversee all aspects of kashrus throughout the entire process, including the proper handling of the chickens prior to shechita so as to avoid fractures or other defects that would render the chickens treif; the validity of the shechita itself, including the necessary periodic checking of the knife used for shechita; the post-shechita internal bedika; and the proper kashering of the chickens (soaking, salting and rinsing). In addition to these kashrus matters, the Hashgocha will also ensure that all other relevant halachos are carefully adhered to throughout the Kapporos process, including such matters as health and safety concerns (both those that concern the wellbeing of those who handle the chickens, as well as those that concern the safety of the food); scrupulous compliance with the Torah’s laws of tza’ar ba’alei chayim throughout the entire process of storing, transporting and handling the chickens, which should be done by responsible adults, not children; ensuring that a live chicken that has already been used for Kapporos by one individual should not be reused for Kapporos by another individual; and sensitivity to tzniyus concerns, to avoid improper mingling to the extent possible. We have enlisted the assistance of a group of distinguished local Rabbonim to work together with the proprietors and sponsors of Kapporos centers and with Mashgichim to implement proper standards, and to oversee the centers to ensure that nothing improper transpires in the Kapporos process. We therefore call upon the entire tzibbur to patronize only those Kapporos centers that are under the exacting Hashgacha of expert Rabbonim. In the z’chus of carrying out this minhag vasikin properly, in full compliance with halacha, may we all be zocheh to kapporas avonos, and to be inscribed in the Book of the Righteous for a good and blessed year. To this we have placed our signatures, for the benefit of the community, these final

Chacham Ovadia Yosef: Use Caution By Kapporos

September 17, 2007 8:22 am 1 Comment

At his weekly Motzei Shabbos Shiur, Chacham Ovadia Yosef Shlita warned that people should use caution when doing Kapporos with chickens. His concern is that a Shochet who is Shechting thousands of chickens, can be using a Chalif (knife) which may not be perfectly smooth – making the chicken Treif. He also mentioned the Mechaber in Shulchan Aruch who says that “one should refrain from doing Kapporos – just to bring out his strong warning. He called on those who wish to perform the Kapporos Minhag with a chicken to do so early to prevent overloading the Shochtim, and “also to go to Shochtim who are Yirei Shomayim.” NOTE: Even though the Mechaber in Shulchan Aruch makes that statement regarding the Minhag of Kapporos, it must be noted that Sephardim still in fact do the Minhag Kapparos.

Kapporos Kol-Koreh Nearing Release

September 4, 2007 2:16 pm 13 Comments

An historic rabbinic declaration to the public about participation in the mass “Kapporos” ceremonies that have become popular in some communities over recent years is about to be released, according to sources close to several of the Rabbonim and Roshei Yeshiva who have been involved in drafting the document. The Kol Koreh is expected to focus on a number of problems that have become apparent in the public fulfillment of the minhag of Kapporos before Yom Kippur. As YW reported (HERE) several weeks ago, a group of esteemed Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbonim from across the Torah community spectrum met in the Novominsk beis medrash in Borough Park to discuss the issue. Concerns voiced at the meeting included the performance of the shechitos themselves, the possibility of infections from improper handling of the chickens, and the possible compromising of the prohibition of tzaar baalei chaim – causing unnecessary discomfort or pain to animals – that might result from the volume of birds being processed over short periods of time in an unregulated public venue. According to the sources, the Kol Koreh will call for reliable hashgocha oversight of kapporos-centers and call on the entire tzibbur to patronize only those centers that have accepted such oversight.

Rabbonim Meet To Discuss Kapporos-Related Issues

August 7, 2007 12:08 pm 28 Comments

A group of esteemed Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbonim from across the Torah community spectrum met Monday afternoon to discuss problems that have come to light over recent years in the fulfillment of the minhag of Kapporos before Yom Kippur. The meeting, which took place in the Novominsk beis medrash in Borough Park, focused on three areas of concern. The first was the fact that the ever-increasing number of chickens used for the rite has put unprecedented pressure on the shochtim who are relied upon to ensure that the birds are properly slaughtered. What is more, there is no independent halachic oversight of the thousands of shechitos performed as parts of the public Kapporos that have become regular occurrences in many places of late. Since the chickens used for Kapporos are traditionally given to the Jewish poor, the importance of ensuring that the shechitos are properly performed is paramount. A second focus of the Rabbonim was on the potential for the spread of disease, considering that chickens and their waste harbor bacteria like Salmonella that, if ingested, can cause serious sickness. Children in particular may not be aware of the importance of either wearing latex gloves or carefully and thoroughly washing their hands with anti-bacterial soap after touching the birds or their cages with bare hands. An infectious disease specialist was present at the meeting, at the organizers’ invitation, and made a presentation to the gathering. The final concern discussed by the Rabbonim was the possibility that, in the hubbub that tends to attend mass Kapporos gatherings, the prohibition of tzaar baalei chaim – causing unnecessary discomfort or pain to animals – might be conmpromised by vendors or participants. The Rabbonim discussed each issue at length and decided to delegate to a smaller group the responsibility of drawing up a list of guidelines for Kapporos, to be submitted to the entire group for their appraisal and, when approved, to be disseminated to the community at large – in time for this year’s Yomim Noro’im, habo’im oleinu li’chapara u’litova.

Agudath Israel Reissues Kaporos Kol Korei

September 24, 2022 7:54 pm 1 Comment

Reissuing a Rabbinic statement (Kol Korei) that was first published 15 years ago and that remains relevant today, Agudath Israel of America is calling upon the community to exercise care regarding the custom of kapporos before Yom Kippur. Given the size of the community, and the large volume of chickens that will be handled in the upcoming days, the practice of kapporos needs to be conducted in a manner that ensures that proper standards of kashrus, cleanliness, and humane treatment of animals, as defined by halacha, are met. This can be achieved by patronizing only those establishments that are under appropriate rabbinic supervision. The Translation of the text is as follows: To All Our Jewish Brethren, Hashem’s Blessings Upon You! As the y’mei ho’rachamim ve’hadin rapidly approach, and as Jews will soon be fulfilling the minhag of Kapporos during the Aseres Yimei Teshuva, we wish to emphasize the need for all public Kapporos centers to be under the exacting Hashgacha of a competent Rav Hamachshir to ensure that all aspects of this “minhag vasikin” (Rama, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 605) are done properly in accordance with halacha. Halachic authorities have long pointed out the need for special care to be taken during the Kapporos process that the chickens be slaughtered and processed properly, especially on Erev Yom Kippur, when many shochtim spend long hours shechting large volumes of chickens (as discussed in Mishneh Berurah, ibid, se’if koton beis). A proper Hashgocha will oversee all aspects of kashrus throughout the entire process, including the proper handling of the chickens prior to shechita so as to avoid fractures or other defects that would render the chickens treif; the validity of the shechita itself, including the necessary periodic checking of the knife used for shechita; the post-shechita internal bedika; and the proper kashering of the chickens (soaking, salting and rinsing). In addition to these kashrus matters, the Hashgocha will also ensure that all other relevant halachos are carefully adhered to throughout the Kapporos process, including such matters as health and safety concerns (both those that concern the wellbeing of those who handle the chickens, as well as those that concern the safety of the food); scrupulous compliance with the Torah’s laws of tza’ar ba’alei chayim throughout the entire process of storing, transporting and handling the chickens, which should be done by responsible adults, not children; ensuring that a live chicken that has already been used for Kapporos by one individual should not be reused for Kapporos by another individual; and sensitivity to tzniyus concerns, to avoid improper mingling to the extent possible. We have enlisted the assistance of a group of distinguished local Rabbonim to work together with the proprietors and sponsors of Kapporos centers and with Mashgichim to implement proper standards, and to oversee the centers to ensure that nothing improper transpires in the Kapporos process. We therefore call upon the entire tzibbur to patronize only those Kapporos centers that are under the exacting Hashgacha of expert Rabbonim. In the z’chus of carrying out this minhag vasikin properly, in full compliance with halacha, may we all be zocheh to kapporas avonos, and to be inscribed in the Book of the Righteous for a good and blessed year. To this we have placed our signatures, for the benefit of the community, these final days of Chodesh Elul 5767.

Boro Park Center Celebrates Nonstop Simchas Yom Tov: From Rosh Hashana to Simchas Torah

October 3, 2021 7:00 pm No Comments

By Yehudit Garmaise “Yom Tov is always a super special time at the Boro Park Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing (BPC), but this year, everything throughout Tishrei was even nicer: truly in the spirit of Simchas Yom Tov,” said Mrs. Raizy Pavlov, BPC’s director of recreation. “It was hard to believe we were in a rehab center because there was so much going on: nonstop entertainment, action, and fun, meaningful Yiddishe activities b’ruchnius and simcha: round the clock,” said one happy resident. After what another resident described as “magnificent davening” over Rosh Hashana and beautiful Yom Tov meals: complete with delicious dishes and simanim platters, just days later, BPC staff members brought the residents everything they needed for Tashlich. For the second year in row, BPC staff brought in-house: fish swimming in bowls, decorated with seashells, netting, and other colorful, cheerful decorations that created an “under-the-sea” theme. In addition to the visual delights, musician Don Stern played heartfelt songs with lyrics from the Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur davening, and Rabbi Aron Waijsfeld said Tashlich with the residents. During Tashlich, Rabbi Waijsfeld explained that Yidden should remember that Yom Kippur is the day on which the Akeidah, “the biggest z’chus of K’lal Yisroel” took place. “Just as Avorham had to go through an ocean that the Satan had created to try to stop Avrohom from getting to the Akeidah, Jews have to go through ‘oceans’ of nisyonos and challenges on the way to the purity of teshuva,” Rabbi Waijsfeld said. “We have to remember that the difficulties we face are not put in our way to stop us, but for us to overcome: and that should be our attitude all year long when we are faced with challenges.” Rabbi Waijsfeld then shlugged kapporos with a live chicken and spoke to BPC’s residents about the power of teshuva. While some residents also did their own kapporos, many other residents just wanted to pet the chickens, said Mrs. Pavlov, who added with a laugh that the chickens were just a precursor to the Eric the Animal Guy, who, over Chol HaMoed, made an animal show for the residents, who got to see, touch, and learn about snakes, lizards, bunnies, turtles, and other animals. “We enjoyed the animals very much,” one resident said. “They were so cute!” Also during the aseres y’may teshuva, Rabbi Moshe Meir Weiss also came to speak to the residents, and on Shabbos Shuva, the Chavraya Choir further inspired the BPC chevra, by singing even more songs from the Ya’mim Noarim. Motzei Yom Tov, after the first days, BPC made its own Simchas Bais Hashoevia with Chaim Blumenfeld singing, Yossi Eidlisz playing music, and the Tantzers dancing. “It was really freilach and beautiful,” said a resident, who added that the staff also brought in Chol HaMoed fun when Yossi’s Balloons went around to all the residents, especially those who were bed-bound, to make for them shapes, animals, and smiley faces out of balloons. On Hoshana Raba, Shia Fried brought his guitar for a kumzitz and davening, and Rabbi Waijsfeld connected David Hamelech, the last of the Ushbezin, with the need to make the effort to stay positive and b’simcha every day. “We know that David Hamelech never had a wonderful day in his life,” Rabbi Waijsfeld said. “Yet, he

Agudath Israel Reissues Kaporos Kol Korei

September 12, 2021 4:30 pm No Comments

An English translation of the Kol Korei follows below: To All Our Jewish Brethren, Hashem’s Blessings Upon You! As the y’mei ho’rachamim ve’hadin rapidly approach, and as Jews will soon be fulfilling the minhag of Kapporos during the Aseres Yimei Teshuva, we wish to emphasize the need for all public Kapporos centers to be under the exacting Hashgacha of a competent Rav Hamachshir to ensure that all aspects of this “minhag vasikin” (Rama, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 605) are done properly in accordance with halacha. Halachic authorities have long pointed out the need for special care to be taken during the Kapporos process that the chickens be slaughtered and processed properly, especially on Erev Yom Kippur, when many shochtim spend long hours shechting large volumes of chickens (as discussed in Mishneh Berurah, ibid, se’if koton beis). A proper Hashgocha will oversee all aspects of kashrus throughout the entire process, including the proper handling of the chickens prior to shechita so as to avoid fractures or other defects that would render the chickens treif; the validity of the shechita itself, including the necessary periodic checking of the knife used for shechita; the post-shechita internal bedika; and the proper kashering of the chickens (soaking, salting and rinsing). In addition to these kashrus matters, the Hashgocha will also ensure that all other relevant halachos are carefully adhered to throughout the Kapporos process, including such matters as health and safety concerns (both those that concern the wellbeing of those who handle the chickens, as well as those that concern the safety of the food); scrupulous compliance with the Torah’s laws of tza’ar ba’alei chayim throughout the entire process of storing, transporting and handling the chickens, which should be done by responsible adults, not children; ensuring that a live chicken that has already been used for Kapporos by one individual should not be reused for Kapporos by another individual; and sensitivity to tzniyus concerns, to avoid improper mingling to the extent possible. We have enlisted the assistance of a group of distinguished local Rabbonim to work together with the proprietors and sponsors of Kapporos centers and with Mashgichim to implement proper standards, and to oversee the centers to ensure that nothing improper transpires in the Kapporos process. We therefore call upon the entire tzibbur to patronize only those Kapporos centers that are under the exacting Hashgacha of expert Rabbonim. In the z’chus of carrying out this minhag vasikin properly, in full compliance with halacha, may we all be zocheh to kapporas avonos, and to be inscribed in the Book of the Righteous for a good and blessed year. To this we have placed our signatures, for the benefit of the community, these final days of Chodesh Elul 5767.

Agudath Israel Reissues Kaporos Kol Korei

September 22, 2020 4:52 pm 3 Comments

Reissuing a Kol Korei that was first published 13 years ago and that remains relevant today, Agudath Israel of America is calling upon the community to exercise care regarding the custom of kapporos before Yom Kippur. Given the size of the community, and the large volume of chickens that will be handled in the upcoming days, the practice of kapporos needs to be conducted in a manner that ensures that proper standards of kashrus, cleanliness, and humane treatment of animals, as defined by halacha, are met. This can be achieved by patronizing only those establishments that are under appropriate rabbinic supervision. An English translation of the Kol Korei follows below: The Translation of the text is as follows: To All Our Jewish Brethren, Hashem’s Blessings Upon You! As the y’mei ho’rachamim ve’hadin rapidly approach, and as Jews will soon be fulfilling the minhag of Kapporos during the Aseres Yimei Teshuva, we wish to emphasize the need for all public Kapporos centers to be under the exacting Hashgacha of a competent Rav Hamachshir to ensure that all aspects of this “minhag vasikin” (Rama, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 605) are done properly in accordance with halacha. Halachic authorities have long pointed out the need for special care to be taken during the Kapporos process that the chickens be slaughtered and processed properly, especially on Erev Yom Kippur, when many shochtim spend long hours shechting large volumes of chickens (as discussed in Mishneh Berurah, ibid, se’if koton beis). A proper Hashgocha will oversee all aspects of kashrus throughout the entire process, including the proper handling of the chickens prior to shechita so as to avoid fractures or other defects that would render the chickens treif; the validity of the shechita itself, including the necessary periodic checking of the knife used for shechita; the post-shechita internal bedika; and the proper kashering of the chickens (soaking, salting and rinsing). In addition to these kashrus matters, the Hashgocha will also ensure that all other relevant halachos are carefully adhered to throughout the Kapporos process, including such matters as health and safety concerns (both those that concern the wellbeing of those who handle the chickens, as well as those that concern the safety of the food); scrupulous compliance with the Torah’s laws of tza’ar ba’alei chayim throughout the entire process of storing, transporting and handling the chickens, which should be done by responsible adults, not children; ensuring that a live chicken that has already been used for Kapporos by one individual should not be reused for Kapporos by another individual; and sensitivity to tzniyus concerns, to avoid improper mingling to the extent possible. We have enlisted the assistance of a group of distinguished local Rabbonim to work together with the proprietors and sponsors of Kapporos centers and with Mashgichim to implement proper standards, and to oversee the centers to ensure that nothing improper transpires in the Kapporos process. We therefore call upon the entire tzibbur to patronize only those Kapporos centers that are under the exacting Hashgacha of expert Rabbonim. In the z’chus of carrying out this minhag vasikin properly, in full compliance with halacha, may we all be zocheh to kapporas avonos, and to be inscribed in the Book of the Righteous for a good and blessed year. To this we have placed our signatures, for

NYC Anti-Kapparos “Activists” Claim COVID-19 Is “Proof” That It Must Be Banned

August 1, 2020 10:29 pm 9 Comments

Anti-Kapporos crusaders are relaunching a legal attack against the Minhag which involves Shechita — arguing the novel coronavirus pandemic presents new evidence it’s harmful to human health. “This is a real danger now that needs to be recognized,” attorney Nora Marino said. “It’s not about what could happen, it’s about what has happened.” Marino, who represents the Alliance to End Chickens as Kaporos (the name has multiple accepted spellings) filed this month a motion to renew her case — struck down in 2018 by the New York Court of Appeals — and compel the NYPD to enforce Health Department codes she says are routinely broken during the pre-Yom Kippur atonement ritual. In her motion, Marino argues the COVID-19 pandemic represents new evidence of the dangers of public animal slaughter, drawing comparisons to the wet markets of Wuhan where some scientists believe the pandemic started its spread, although the origin is still under investigation. “It’s not about what could happen,” Marino said. “It’s about what has happened because of a live animal wet market.” It remains unclear whether a Manhattan supreme court judge will sign off on Marino’s motion, or when, considering the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 shutdown. READ MORE: NY1

Agudath Israel Reissues Kaporos Kol Korei

October 2, 2019 9:45 pm 2 Comments

Reissuing a Rabbinic statement (Kol Korei) that was first published 12 years ago and that remains relevant today, Agudath Israel of America is calling upon the community to exercise care regarding the custom of kapporos before Yom Kippur. Given the size of the community, and the large volume of chickens that will be handled in the upcoming days, the practice of kapporos needs to be conducted in a manner that ensures that proper standards of kashrus, cleanliness, and humane treatment of animals, as defined by halacha, are met. To All Our Jewish Brethren, Hashem’s Blessings Upon You! As the y’mei ho’rachamim ve’hadin rapidly approach, and as Jews will soon be fulfilling the minhag of Kapporos during the Aseres Yimei Teshuva, we wish to emphasize the need for all public Kapporos centers to be under the exacting Hashgacha of a competent Rav Hamachshir to ensure that all aspects of this “minhag vasikin” (Rama, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 605) are done properly in accordance with halacha. Halachic authorities have long pointed out the need for special care to be taken during the Kapporos process that the chickens be slaughtered and processed properly, especially on Erev Yom Kippur, when many shochtim spend long hours shechting large volumes of chickens (as discussed in Mishneh Berurah, ibid, se’if koton beis). A proper Hashgocha will oversee all aspects of kashrus throughout the entire process, including the proper handling of the chickens prior to shechita so as to avoid fractures or other defects that would render the chickens treif; the validity of the shechita itself, including the necessary periodic checking of the knife used for shechita; the post-shechita internal bedika; and the proper kashering of the chickens (soaking, salting and rinsing). In addition to these kashrus matters, the Hashgocha will also ensure that all other relevant halachos are carefully adhered to throughout the Kapporos process, including such matters as health and safety concerns (both those that concern the wellbeing of those who handle the chickens, as well as those that concern the safety of the food); scrupulous compliance with the Torah’s laws of tza’ar ba’alei chayim throughout the entire process of storing, transporting and handling the chickens, which should be done by responsible adults, not children; ensuring that a live chicken that has already been used for Kapporos by one individual should not be reused for Kapporos by another individual; and sensitivity to tzniyus concerns, to avoid improper mingling to the extent possible. We have enlisted the assistance of a group of distinguished local Rabbonim to work together with the proprietors and sponsors of Kapporos centers and with Mashgichim to implement proper standards, and to oversee the centers to ensure that nothing improper transpires in the Kapporos process. We therefore call upon the entire tzibbur to patronize only those Kapporos centers that are under the exacting Hashgacha of expert Rabbonim. In the z’chus of carrying out this minhag vasikin properly, in full compliance with halacha, may we all be zocheh to kapporas avonos , and to be inscribed in the Book of the Righteous for a good and blessed year. To this we have placed our signat ures, for the benefit of the community, these final days of Chodesh Elul 5767.

Agudath Israel Reissues Kaporos Kol Korei

September 6, 2018 4:00 pm 3 Comments

Reissuing a Rabbinic statement (Kol Korei) that was first published 11 years ago and that remains relevant today, Agudath Israel of America is calling upon the community to exercise care regarding the custom of kapporos before Yom Kippur. Given the size of the community, and the large volume of chickens that will be handled in the upcoming days, the practice of kapporos needs to be conducted in a manner that ensures that proper standards of kashrus, cleanliness, and humane treatment of animals, as defined by halacha, are met. This can be achieved by patronizing only those establishments that are under appropriate rabbinic supervision. An English translation can be found below the poster. All Our Jewish Brethren, Hashem’s Blessings Upon You! As the y’mei ho’rachamim ve’hadin rapidly approach, and as Jews will soon be fulfilling the minhag of Kapporos during the Aseres Yimei Teshuva, we wish to emphasize the need for all public Kapporos centers to be under the exacting Hashgacha of a competent Rav Hamachshir to ensure that all aspects of this “minhag vasikin” (Rama, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 605) are done properly in accordance with halacha. Halachic authorities have long pointed out the need for special care to be taken during the Kapporos process that the chickens be slaughtered and processed properly, especially on Erev Yom Kippur, when many shochtim spend long hours shechting large volumes of chickens (as discussed in Mishneh Berurah, ibid, se’if koton beis). A proper Hashgocha will oversee all aspects of kashrus throughout the entire process, including the proper handling of the chickens prior to shechita so as to avoid fractures or other defects that would render the chickens treif; the validity of the shechita itself, including the necessary periodic checking of the knife used for shechita; the post-shechita internal bedika; and the proper kashering of the chickens (soaking, salting and rinsing). In addition to these kashrus matters, the Hashgocha will also ensure that all other relevant halachos are carefully adhered to throughout the Kapporos process, including such matters as health and safety concerns (both those that concern the wellbeing of those who handle the chickens, as well as those that concern the safety of the food); scrupulous compliance with the Torah’s laws of tza’ar ba’alei chayim throughout the entire process of storing, transporting and handling the chickens, which should be done by responsible adults, not children; ensuring that a live chicken that has already been used for Kapporos by one individual should not be reused for Kapporos by another individual; and sensitivity to tzniyus concerns, to avoid improper mingling to the extent possible. We have enlisted the assistance of a group of distinguished local Rabbonim to work together with the proprietors and sponsors of Kapporos centers and with Mashgichim to implement proper standards, and to oversee the centers to ensure that nothing improper transpires in the Kapporos process. We therefore call upon the entire tzibbur to patronize only those Kapporos centers that are under the exacting Hashgacha of expert Rabbonim. In the z’chus of carrying out this minhag vasikin properly, in full compliance with halacha, may we all be zocheh to kapporas avonos, and to be inscribed in the Book of the Righteous for a good and blessed year. To this we have placed our signatures, for the benefit of the community, these final

Starting The New Year Right: A Guide To The Simanim On Rosh Hashaha

September 6, 2018 10:00 am No Comments

By: Rabbi Moshe T. Schuchman Introduction On Rosh HaShana, everything we do is imbued with extreme significance. We stand in judgment before the Heavenly Court while each of our actions, words, and thoughts are scrutinized. To assist our efforts in currying Divine mercy, we employ various customs transmitted by our ancient mesorah. Among them is the regimen of the simanim, literally signs or omens. These are the foods that we bring to the table at the beginning of the evening meal as auspicious indications of a propitious year to come. What are the origins of this unusual custom? How can we be meticulous in its performance? How do we harness its power to usher in a year of prosperity? Origins of the Custom There are two different Talmudic passages1 discussing simanim. In both tractates, Abbaye deduces that it is worthwhile to interact with various foods on Rosh HaShana to effect a benevolent judgment in Heaven. The version in maseches Horayos quotes Abbaye as saying that the benefits are gained by merely ‘gazing’ at these items, while in maseches K’risos the text states that these items must be ‘eaten’. A third variation of the Talmudic text is quoted by the Ran,2 ‘to bring’ these items to the table. The Ran reports that Rav Hai Gaon would have a basket of these foods brought to the table, whereupon he would hold each item and recite an appropriate bakasha. It is our custom to eat the simanim. Nevertheless, there are situations when one may merely ‘gaze’ at the items. For instance, the Kaf HaChaim3writes that if one is concerned about insect infestation in one of the simanim, or if one does not enjoy eating a particular siman, he may fulfill the custom by placing the item on the table and looking at it.4 Identifying the Simanim Abbaye lists five significant simanim: Kara, gourd (such as pumpkin); karsi, leek; silka, beet; and tamri, date. The translation of the last item, rubia, is disputed.5 This word resembles the Hebrew term for abundance and increasing (l’harbos); therefore, it is associated with plants that produce many off-shoots. The Mechaber follows Rashi’s interpretation of rubia as tilsan, a type of shamrock or clover, while others identify it as fenugreek, sesame seeds, or black-eyed peas. Why have these particular foods been singled out? Rashi (K’risos 6a) explains that these foods either have quick growth cycles or possess a sweet taste.6The Geonim, cited by the Mordechai,7 points to a linguistic significance of their names, which is suggestive of good omens. Rubia indicates that our merits or assets should increase in the coming year.8 Karsi suggests that our enemies should be “cut down”; silka and tamri refer to the removal and “obliteration” of our enemies.9 The Geonim mention the age-old custom of eating additional items not mentioned in the Talmud. This includes eating the head of a sheep, as a request that Hashem place us in a position of leadership and not subordination.10 Another ancient practice is partaking of fatty meat11 and sweet beverages as a sign of a prosperous and sweet new year. The Geonim trace this custom back to the second Beis HaMikdash, when Ezra and Nechemia instructed the people on Rosh HaShana to “Go and eat fatty dishes and drink sweet drinks.”12 The Tur remarks that Jews have

Agudath Israel Reissues Kaporos Kol Korei

September 26, 2017 8:00 am 3 Comments

Reissuing a Rabbinic statement (Kol Korei) that was first published ten years ago and that remains relevant today, Agudath Israel of America is calling upon the community to exercise care regarding the custom of kapporos before Yom Kippur. Given the size of the community, and the large volume of chickens that will be handled in the upcoming days, the practice of kapporos needs to be conducted in a manner that ensures that proper standards of kashrus, cleanliness, and humane treatment of animals, as defined by halacha, are met. This can be achieved by patronizing only those establishments that are under appropriate rabbinic supervision. English Translation Of The Kaporos Kol Korei Is Below: To All Our Jewish Brethren, Hashem’s Blessings Upon You! As the y’mei ho’rachamim ve’hadin rapidly approach, and as Jews will soon be fulfilling the minhag of Kapporos during the Aseres Yimei Teshuva, we wish to emphasize the need for all public Kapporos centers to be under the exacting Hashgacha of a competent Rav Hamachshir to ensure that all aspects of this “minhag vasikin” (Rama, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 605) are done properly in accordance with halacha. Halachic authorities have long pointed out the need for special care to be taken during the Kapporos process that the chickens be slaughtered and processed properly, especially on Erev Yom Kippur, when many shochtim spend long hours shechting large volumes of chickens (as discussed in Mishneh Berurah, ibid, se’if koton beis). A proper Hashgocha will oversee all aspects of kashrus throughout the entire process, including the proper handling of the chickens prior to shechita so as to avoid fractures or other defects that would render the chickens treif; the validity of the shechita itself, including the necessary periodic checking of the knife used for shechita; the post-shechita internal bedika; and the proper kashering of the chickens (soaking, salting and rinsing). In addition to these kashrus matters, the Hashgocha will also ensure that all other relevant halachos are carefully adhered to throughout the Kapporos process, including such matters as health and safety concerns (both those that concern the wellbeing of those who handle the chickens, as well as those that concern the safety of the food); scrupulous compliance with the Torah’s laws of tza’ar ba’alei chayim throughout the entire process of storing, transporting and handling the chickens, which should be done by responsible adults, not children; ensuring that a live chicken that has already been used for Kapporos by one individual should not be reused for Kapporos by another individual; and sensitivity to tzniyus concerns, to avoid improper mingling to the extent possible. We have enlisted the assistance of a group of distinguished local Rabbonim to work together with the proprietors and sponsors of Kapporos centers and with Mashgichim to implement proper standards, and to oversee the centers to ensure that nothing improper transpires in the Kapporos process. We therefore call upon the entire tzibbur to patronize only those Kapporos centers that are under the exacting Hashgacha of expert Rabbonim. In the z’chus of carrying out this minhag vasikin properly, in full compliance with halacha, may we all be zocheh to kapporas avonos, and to be inscribed in the Book of the Righteous for a good and blessed year. To this we have placed our signatures, for the benefit of the community, these

An Open Letter From PETA’s Senior Researcher To YWN

June 3, 2010 3:20 pm 85 Comments

PETA’s Not-So-Hidden AgendaAn open letter from PETA Senior Researcher (and undercover investigator) Philip Schein to YWN readers: In response to PETA’s original 2007 investigation of “shackle and hoist” kosher slaughter in Uruguay, a representative of the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbinate of Israel defended the kosher status of the meat in the Jerusalem Post, arguing, “In fact, gratuitous cruelty to animals during the slaughter process does not disqualify the meat.” It is a shame that to the general public, the image of kosher meat has degenerated from the proud, classic slogan “We answer to a higher authority” to “Gratuitous cruelty to animals does not disqualify the meat.” Many kosher consumers, however, are disturbed by how tza’ar ba’alei chayim has been relegated to an afterthought in kosher meat production. For PETA, tza’ar ba’alei chayim is our primary focus. Much of our investigative work is clandestine, but we have an explicit mission to expose all the gratuitous cruelty that is obscured from the public so that consumers can make informed decisions and demand the best practices. If companies are not transparent about their treatment of animals, our undercover footage provides a window into their operations. Audits—whether announced or unannounced—and orchestrated tours can never fully and candidly capture how a slaughterhouse functions. And as the investigations of Agriprocessors demonstrated, egregious practices can be conducted right under the noses of mashgichim and USDA inspectors. It is in this sense that we hope you can use PETA’s covert work to demand more transparency and vigilance on the part of companies and kosher certification systems. Some of PETA’s tactics to publicize certain campaigns have been labeled as sensationalistic. This is true, but our core message is not extreme. Eliminating gratuitous cruelty to animals is a very reasonable, common-sense goal. Tza’ar ba’alei chayim is not a radical mission. For example, whether one thinks kapporos should be performed with live chickens or with money, almost everyone would agree that providing no water to the chickens—or handling them roughly—is unacceptable. It is frustrating trying to work with the largest kapporos operations in Brooklyn to improve basic conditions and treatment of chickens only to be falsely accused of being anti-Semitic or anti-shechita. Similarly, PETA’s investigations into the kosher slaughter industry were never about shechita but rather issues involving tza’ar ba’alei chayim in the handling of the animals and conditions for animals in the facilities. At Agriprocessors, the dismemberment of the tracheas and esophagi of still-conscious animals was conducted immediately after shechita—it was not part of the shechita process. These “dressing procedures” weren’t done for halachic purposes but rather for commercial reasons—to prevent blood splash (which reduces profits). Similarly, in South America, “shackle and hoist” kosher slaughter is done for commercial reasons only. One hundred cattle can be killed per hour by “shackle and hoist,” but only 55 per hour can be slaughtered using a more humane inverted pen. This is the real hidden agenda. The kosher meat companies that PETA investigated were causing unnecessary pain and suffering for the sake of profit and then trying to defend those cruel practices by framing PETA’s efforts as an attack on shechita. In the wake of New Zealand’s recent ban on shechita, it is understandable that some in the Jewish community are nervous. But PETA’s investigations were never an attack on shechita. Quite the contrary.

PETA Starts Their Kapparos War

August 25, 2008 5:24 pm 19 Comments

The following letter was sent by the PETA organization (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) to Rabbi Luzer Weiss, in regards to their complaints that following Kapparos last year, a large Kaparos center in Crown Heights was throwing away dead chickens instead of giving them to the poor. Last year, YWN posted an extensive letter written by PETA to Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. (For that letter, click HERE) August 22, 2008 Rabbi Luzer Weiss, Director Kosher Law Enforcement Division Brooklyn Office NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets 55 Hanson Pl. Brooklyn, NY 11217-1583 Re: Consumer Fraud Alert Dear Rabbi Weiss: In advance of this year’s kapporos events, we request that the Kosher Law Enforcement Division investigate possible consumer fraud committed annually by Rabbi Shea Hecht of the National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education (NCFJE). On September 20, 2007, NCFJE disposed of approximately two-thirds of the thousands of slaughtered chickens at its kapporos operation. These are chickens consumers expected to be processed for meat and distributed as tzedakah. The two-thirds figure was confirmed by NCFJE’s Yosef Moya in a meeting that I had with him and Rabbi Hecht on December 31, 2007, at NCFJE’s head office in Crown Heights. Furthermore, at the NCFJE’s September 20, 2007, kapporos event, PETA videotaped XXXX -who was responsible for ticket sales-as he stated that most of the slaughtered chickens would not be processed and would just be thrown in the garbage. He attempted to justify this by adding that the money used to purchase the thousands of discarded slaughtered chickens may then be used to buy replacement chickens to feed the poor. PETA has enclosed a DVD of this conversation and additional footage of the hundreds of bags of slaughtered chickens that would be left for trash. These bags were subsequently placed inside a rented container labeled #12, which was picked up by Greg’s Express at approximately 7 a.m. on September 21, 2007. The deceptive practice conducted by NCFJE of selling such a huge number of chickens for kapporos-while fully aware that there was no logistical plan in place to process even one-third of them-constitutes a fundamental violation of the principle of bal tashchit (wasteful, wanton destruction). This disposal of the slaughtered chickens demonstrates a shameless violation of the intent and practice of the kapporos ritual. As such, we request that this be investigated as a legal matter of possible deceptive advertising and consumer fraud. Such types of deceptive practices have been documented for the past several years throughout different kapporos centers in Brooklyn. Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum of The Jewish Press wrote: KIS [Kashrus Information Service] found that, in addition to chickens being reused repeatedly (literally deceiving the paying public) they were not provided enough room, not fed properly, if at all, were being schechted by unqualified and unsupervised shochtim and improperly disposed of. . . . The hashgachah must oversee that no tza’ar ba’alei chaim (abuse) of chickens takes place … and that the ultimate disposition of the slaughtered chickens are to poor families or religious institutions. Participants at NCFJE clearly did not expect the chickens they made kapporos with-in such an intimate and solemn ritual-to be disposed of as trash. Nor did they expect the money that they paid to be

PETA Documents Cruelty To Chickens At Kaparos

August 3, 2007 6:01 pm 30 Comments

Click HERE to watch a video taken by PETA at Kaparos in 2006. A representative of PETA’s Investigations Department has given the following statement to Yeshivaworld: “We believe that the conditions witnessed and documented by our investigators in 2005 and 2006 constitute violations of the state cruelty to animals statute. PETA and other humane organizations receive many complaints from local community members about the treatment of animals and the unsanitary conditions during kapporos. We are attempting to work with regulatory and enforcement agencies to ensure that those organizing kapporos events in 2007 are in compliance with all relevant health and animal cruelty laws. In addition, PETA has written the following letter to the NYC Health Commissioner, and various other NYC officials: July 30, 2007 Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 125 Worth St. New York, NY 10013 RE: Cruelty-to-Animals and Health Violations During the Kapporos Ritual in Brooklyn, N.Y. Dear Mr. Frieden: Kapporos is a religious slaughter ritual performed in the ultra-Orthodox/Hasidic Jewish community the week before Yom Kippur. Thousands of chickens are roughly handled in the largest kapporos ceremony in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and then sacrificed in a makeshift slaughter area on a public street. The slaughtered chickens are later trucked back to a processing facility to be prepared as food. These massive slaughters have been taking place without any apparent regulation or enforcement. Because of the mounting incidents of cruelty to animals recorded on video and published in media reports as well as the public health hazards involved in operating a de facto slaughterhouse on a busy urban street, the issuing and conditions of any permits for the kapporos ritual must be examined. It is a serious health concern that children handle live, feces-covered, and possibly diseased chickens and wade through the blood of slaughtered poultry. The risk of communicable avian diseases and bacterial contamination is alarming, and the inhumane treatment and mishandling of animals at every stage of the process must be prevented. Below is a full description of violations and concerns pertaining to sanitation (regarding human health and food safety) as well as cruelty to animals during transportation, handling, and ritual slaughter. Note: The next kapporos slaughter period is scheduled for the week between Monday, September 17, and Friday, September 21, 2007. The largest kapporos event takes place near the intersection of Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. We are writing to you in advance to request that measures be taken to ensure that any communities or congregations participating in poultry slaughter for kapporos are in full compliance with all municipal, state, and federal laws. We also request that a methodical enforcement plan be developed. It is important to note that there is no religious requirement for slaughtering chickens on kapporos and that most Modern Orthodox Jewish congregations do not practice this form of the ritual. Even Chabad Lubavitch—the organization behind the largest kapporos street slaughter event—sanctions, on its Web site, alternatives to chicken slaughter for kapporos, including symbolic sacrifices, such as donating money to charity. Although PETA would prefer that chickens not be slaughtered, we do request that authorities insist that basic animal welfare laws be strictly observed and health codes be strictly enforced during the practice of this ritual. To this end,

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