top of page

Kaparot

Kaparot (also known as Kaparos) is a controversial, ancient Jewish folk custom that is still performed by some (though not most) Jews today. The tradition is connected to the Jewish Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, and involves whirling a chicken above one's head while reciting a prayer. The folk belief is that an individual's sins will be transferred to the chicken, thereby allowing them to begin the New Year with a clean slate. The chicken is then slaughtered and donated to the poor for consumption at the pre-fast meal.

 

Mea Shearim (100 Gates) is one of the oldest Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem, Israel. It is populated mainly by Haredi Jews (very orthodox). the neighborhood seems like stuck in time back in the late 1800's or early 1900's. The Kaparot ritual is performed every day in the market of Mea Shearim for about a week, from Rosh Ha Shana (the Jewish New Year's) until the eve of Yom Kippur.

kaparot_2011_001.jpg
kaparot_2011_002.jpg
kaparot_2011_003.jpg
kaparot_2011_004.jpg
kaparot_2011_005.jpg
kaparot_2011_006.jpg
kaparot_2011_007.jpg
kaparot_2011_008.jpg
kaparot_2011_009.jpg
kaparot_2011_010.jpg
kaparot_2011_011.jpg
kaparot_2011_012.jpg
kaparot_2011_013.jpg
kaparot_2011_014.jpg
kaparot_2011_015.jpg
kaparot_2011_016.jpg
kaparot_2011_017.jpg
kaparot_2011_018.jpg
kaparot_2011_019.jpg
kaparot_2011_020.jpg
kaparot_2011_021.jpg
kaparot_2011_022.jpg
kaparot_2011_023.jpg
bottom of page