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Latest Information Regarding the Campaign to Reduce Kapparot Abuses of Chickens
a. Announcement in "Kosher Today"
Thanks to Jewish Vegetarians of North America advisor Professor Joe Regenstein for forwarding this information to his list.
New York... A cross-section of rabbis from across the spectrum of Orthodox Judaism has issued a Kol Koreh (Proclamation) calling for stricter kashrus and humane standards at Kapporos (the act of asking for forgiveness before Yom Kippur, using a chicken as a stead for life). The proclamation calls on all public Kapporos centers to be under the exacting Hashgacha of a competent Rav Hamachshir (Supervising Rabbi) to ensure that all aspects of this "minhag vasikin" (ancient ritual) are done properly in accordance with halacha. The proclamation followed a complaint by PETA, the extremist animal rights group, to New York State authorities of the "inhumane" treatment of the chickens. Sources confirmed that while most kapporos centers observed high standards, a few were guilty of abuses.
b. News from Agudath Israel of America
For further information
please contact Rabbi Avi Shafran
212-797-9000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 4, 2007
RABBINIC DECLARATION ON "KAPPOROS" NEARING RELEASE
BROOKLYN, NY - 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 rabbis who have been involved in drafting the document.
The declaration is expected to focus on a number of problems that have become apparent in the public fulfillment of the custom of Kapporos before Yom Kippur.
Several weeks ago, a group of esteemed rabbinic leaders from across the Orthodox Jewish spectrum met in the study hall of the Novominsker Rebbe in Brooklyn to discuss the issue. Concerns voiced at the meeting included the performance of the slaughtering of chickens after the ceremony, the possibility of infections from improper handling of the chickens, and the possible compromising of the Torah's prohibition against 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 declaration will call for reliable rabbinic oversight of "Kapporos centers" and call on all members of the Orthodox Jewish community to patronize only those centers that have accepted such oversight.
c. Jewish Vegetarians of North America press release
September 7, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact person: Richard H. Schwartz, President of the Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA) (president@JewishVeg.com); Phone 718-761-5876;
Web site: jewishveg.com and JewishVeg.com/schwartz).
JEWISH VEGETARIAN GROUP COMMENDS RABBIS FOR ACTIONS ON KAPPAROT RITUAL, BUT URGES ADDITIONAL STEPS
The Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA) announced today that it commends the group of distinguished Orthodox rabbis who are working to see that the annual pre-Yom Kippur ritual of kapparot is properly supervised, so that abuses of chickens that occurred in previous years will not occur this year. However, because Jews are to be rachmanim b'nei rachmanim (compassionate children of compassionate ancestors), G-d's mercies are over all His creatures (Psalms 145:9), and 'the righteous individual considers the life of his animal" (Proverbs 12:10), JVNA reaffirmed its belief that the ritual should be carried out by the approved method of using money, rather than chickens. JVNA believes that even under the best of conditions there will be some mistreatment of chickens, and that being twirled over a person's head is a frightening experience for them, thereby violating the Jewish prohibition of causing tsa'ar ba'alei chayim (sorrow to living creatures). A fuller discussion of the ritual and JVNA's views on it can be found at the JVNA web site (http://jewishveg.com/schwartz/kapparot.html).
JVNA also urges the learned rabbis to extend their concern to all of the chickens raised for food on factory farms. Over 9 billion chickens are slaughtered annually in the U.S. alone, after being raised under cruel, very crowded conditions, in which all of their natural instincts are thwarted. Over 250 million male chicks born at egg-laying hatcheries in the U.S. are killed each year immediately after birth, because they can't lay eggs and they have not been genetically programmed to gain much weight, as "broiler" chickens are. Hens are confined in such small spaces that they can't raise even one wing. Because of the very unnatural conditions, frustrated hens peck at each other, sometimes causing injury or death. To prevent this, the birds are debeaked, without the benefit of anesthetics, causing great pain. Other farmed animals are also mistreated under modern intensive conditions.
JVNA is planning a major campaign to respectfully urge Jews to apply Jewish values to the foods that we eat. The group argues that the harsh realities of animal-based diets and agriculture contradict fundamental Jewish teachings and laws. These include mandates to take care of our health, treat animals compassionately, protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and help hungry people. Also, the group asserts, rabbis (and other religious leaders) should make their congregations and students aware of the many benefits of a shift toward plant-based diets. These include:
- reducing the epidemic of heart disease, cancer, and other chronic degenerative diseases currently afflicting the Jewish community and other communities;
- reducing current environmental threats, including global climate change; species extinction; pollution of land, air, and water; destruction of tropical rain forests, coral reefs, and other valuable habitats; and shortages of water and other resources; a 2006 UN FAO report indicated that animal-based agriculture releases more greenhouse gases (in CO2 equivalents) than all the world's cars and other transportation vehicles; and,
- demonstrating the relevance of Judaism to some of the most critical issues of our time, helping to revitalize our ancient faith.
"There is an epidemic of diseases and ailments related to animal-based diets in the Jewish community and other communities, and the world is imperiled as perhaps never before by global warming and many other environmental threats that are greatly worsened by animal-based agriculture," asserted Richard Schwartz, president of JVNA, "and our rabbis would do a tremendous kiddush Hashem (sanctification of God's name) by helping to put the many benefits of plant-based diets on the Jewish agenda."
Much additional information can be obtained at JVNA's web site (JewishVeg.com) or by contacting them at mail@JewishVeg.com.