A Video in the No More Hiding from the Truth Series from All-Creatures.org

Today, All-Creatures.org speaks out against an evil practice that reveals the hearts of those choosing violence for atonement rather than peace and charity. Listen to the POWERFUL words of our founder concerning these continued abuses.

Kapparot – A Choice Between Compassion and Cruelty
No More Hiding from the Truth with Vegan Pastor Frank Hoffman

Kapparot offers two clear options: a peaceful act of charity, using coins given to charities or the poor, or a violent act that inflicts suffering on God’s creatures. In the abusive chicken-based form of atonement, live birds are forcefully swung over a person’s head, causing pain, injury, and fear, before being killed—not for food, but simply as part of the ritual. In this way, the human “feels” atoned by the very act of abusing and then killing the chicken. Such acts are NOT supported by scripture but invented by humans. Over the centuries, this practice has been condemned as superstition, as irrational, and too similar to pagan rites. Many Jewish writers and organizations argue that chicken-based kapparot violates tza’ar ba’alei chayim (the prohibition against unnecessary animal suffering) and urge using money instead. Op-eds and rabbinic voices have echoed this stance. Yet, this practice continues in certain circles even though it does not have to.

In the United States, these abusive practices are being documented each year in New York, New Jersey, California, Florida, and other places. Photojournalists and witnesses consistently report rough handling—chickens suspended by their wings, roughly handled, neglected, inured, suffering, crated for hours or days in crowded outdoor cages, then abused and killed in makeshift street operations. These actions cause stress, injury, suffering, and then killing which – again - directly contradicting Jewish law’s commandment of tza’ar ba’alei chayim (the prohibition against unnecessary animal suffering). Many Jewish writers, rabbis, and organizations condemn chicken-based kapparot and urge the use of money instead, showing that compassion—not cruelty—is fully within tradition.

As Pastor Frank Hoffman reminds us, no matter what faith we are - our choices reveal the state of our hearts: do we choose the deception of violence and death, or the truth peace and charity?

Faith-Based Ethical Vegan Commentary on Abusing Chickens in Kapparot

At the heart of Torah is the call to compassion. The commandment of tza’ar ba’alei chayim prohibits causing needless suffering to animals, reminding us that God’s mercy extends to all living beings.

The prophets echo this truth:

• “I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats… Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean… learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” (Isaiah 1:11, 16–17)
• “What does the LORD require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

Kapparot involving the harming and killing of chickens contradicts this spirit. Causing fear, injury, and death to God’s creatures cannot bring true atonement. Giving tzedakah (charity) in place of violence, however, embodies both repentance and mercy.

Atonement comes through returning to God with humility, compassion, and justice.

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Posted on All-Creatures.org: September 26, 2025
Return to: The Mary T. and Frank L. Hoffman Family Foundation