Spirituality

Ancient
Rite

Pre-holiday atonement leads to an
ancient ritual in Farmington Hills.

SUSAN TAWIL
Special to the Jewish News

S

hlug,n kapores, an ancient Jewish custom
originating in Babylonia in the 800s, is an
atonement ritual performed to expiate sins
just prior to Yom Kippur. Most Jews who
observe the custom today recite the prescribed
prayer passages while circling their heads with cash,
which is subsequent-
ly donated to charity.
But for those in
search of a more col-
orful Kapparos expe-
rience, the original
method is still avail-
able. This year,
1,200-1,400 people
went to Bais Chabad
of Farmington Hills
the night of Sept. 25
to shlug kapores with
800 live, white chick-
ens.
"Every year we get
about 15 percent
more people com-
ing," says Rabbi
Hershel Finman,
who organized the
event. "We put up some flyers in the shuls and in
Jewish stores, but it's mostly word of mouth. People
come from Temple Israel, the yeshivahs, you name it
— really community wide participation."
"I had no clue what I was in for," said Dr. Debra
Hollander, a first time participant. The West
Bloomfield resident, who began learning recently
with Rabbi Finman, performed the ceremony with
her son Evan, 14. She was given a hen, while her
son held a rooster.
After reciting the prayer, they each held their
chicken at the base of its wings, raised them up and
circled the chickens three times around their heads.
Said Evan, "I thought it was very strange, but it
was a cool experience and pretty fun." He said he'd
like to do it again next year.
"I felt good about doing it," his mother said,
"especially knowing they would be kashered after-
ward and given to families who needed them. It's a
way to purify yourself and help others at the same
time."

Above: Gary Miller
The organically raised
of Milford and
chickens, from a farm in
Yakov
Faytlin of
Frankenmuth, were kosher
Southfield
read the
slaughtered the next morn-
atonement
prayers.
ing, so local families could
serve them for the pre-Yom
Kippur meal. After the rit- Lefi: Shmuel Rabin,
4, of Oak Park
ual slaughtering, the chick-
waits for his dad to
ens were processed at Rizk's
begin the ceremony.
Market, a Dearborn slaughter-
house, by proprietor Ahmed
Right: Gary Miller
Rizk.
lifts the chicken to
"We do something similar
transfer his sins.
on our holidays, but not with
chickens, but with lamb or
goats," said Rizk, in reference
to three sacrifice days during the most important
Muslim holiday that occurs during the annual pil-
grimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
"It's similar to what you do. The lamb dies, I live.
Then we give the lamb to the poor. My dad does it
for my family; I do it for my children. Every man
does it."
Rabbi Finman provided kosher supervision.
"It was good to see Jews and Muslims working
together," the rabbi said.

❑

10/5

2001

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