September 26th, 2011 RABBI SHMULY YANKLOWITZ Some Jews have a medieval custom to sacrifice a chicken before Yom Kippur, “kaporos.” One grabs the chicken’s legs while pinning its wings back and swings it around one’s head. These chickens are packed into crates before this procedure and then usually sent to be slaughtered after. Others are … Continue reading A Yom Kippur of Mercy or Cruelty?