Kapparot

Israel, 2008

The Kapparot ritual is a controversial tradition in Israel, with some Orthodox Jews practicing it as a symbol of atonement and charity before Yom Kippur. The ritual involves swinging a chicken over one's head while reciting prayers and donating the chicken to charity. However, the use of chickens has become a subject of controversy in recent years due to animal welfare concerns.

Having attended the ritual in Jerusalem a few years ago, I was struck by the overwhelming smell of chicken droppings and blood. The noise was also overwhelming: chickens chirped and flapped their wings while adults recited prayers and children shouted to each other. It was a chaotic scene that felt far from graceful. In recent years, animal welfare activists have even gone as far as organizing riots in an attempt to disrupt the ritual.

Despite the opposition, the Kapparot ritual remains an important part of Jewish tradition for many Orthodox Jews in Israel. It is a way of symbolically transferring one's sins to the chicken, which is then sacrificed and donated to the poor. The ritual is typically performed in the days leading up to Yom Kippur, with many synagogues and religious organizations offering Kapparot services. For some Jews, the Kapparot ritual serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of atonement and charity during the lead-up to the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

Awards and exhibitions:

2023 Exhibited under the patronage of the Embassy of Israel in Czech Republic. “Beseder” Gallery, Prague