K A S H R U T . C O M_©

September 15, 2026: from the VinNews

"As Yom Kippur approaches, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef has issued halachic guidelines regarding the traditional Kapparot ritual, warning against conducting the practice with chickens when it involves animal cruelty.

"In a halachic ruling, Rabbi Yosef stressed that Kapparot is an ancient Jewish custom practiced by communities for generations. But he said the custom should not be performed in a manner that violates Jewish law.

"He warned about conditions that can occur at large Kapparot sites, where chickens may be held for extended periods without adequate shade, food or water. He also raised concerns about slaughter taking place without proper religious and veterinary oversight.

"When Kapparot with chickens cannot be carried out without causing animal suffering and while meeting proper halachic standards, Rabbi Yosef said the custom should instead be performed with money, which is then given to charity.

"Rabbi Yosef noted that his father, the late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, followed this practice in his later years, performing Kapparot with money and saying, 'This money will go to charity.'

"Regarding the amount, Rabbi Yosef said each person should give according to their means. Those seeking to enhance the observance may give an amount equivalent to the cost of a chicken, which he put at 35 shekels per person."