Agudath Israel Disseminates Kol Korei Regarding Kapparos

With the Aseres Yamei Tshuvah quickly approaching, the Agudath Israel of America has publicized a Kol Korei urging the community to only patronize kapparos centers that are under reliable rabbinic supervision. The proclamation, originally released in 2007, was signed by over 25 of America’s leading Rabbanim and Roshei Yeshivah.

“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,” reads part of the text.

Concerns raised include shechitah knives becoming too dull to slaughter according to halachah and improper handling of the chickens themselves, which could cause injuries that would render the birds treif or violate the prohibition of tzaar baalei chaim, causing unnecessary suffering to animals.

“In the z’chus of carrying out this minhag vasikin [early custom] properly, in full compliance with halachah, may we all be zocheh to kapporas avonos [atonement of our sins], and to be inscribed in the Book of the Righteous for a good and blessed year.”

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the September 11th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.