STORY: Ultra-Orthodox Jews perform Kaparot ritual ahead of Day of Atonement
DATELINE: Sept. 21, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:12
LOCATION: Jerusalem
CATEGORY: CULTURE/SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of ultra-Orthodox Jews performing the Kaparot ritual

STORYLINE:

Ultra-Orthodox Jews performed the Kaparot ritual in the central Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, during which white chickens are slaughtered as a symbolic gesture of atonement ahead of Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement.

The ritual consists of carefully passing a chicken over one's head three times while reciting the appropriate text, hoping to transfer their sins. The chicken is then slaughtered in a humane fashion in accordance with the laws of kashrut. The chicken itself is discreetly donated to a charitable cause, such as a yeshiva or orphanage, where it will be eaten just as any other chicken. Alternatively, the chicken will be sold.

This year the Jewish Day of Atonement runs from the sunset of Sept. 24 to the sunset of Sept. 25.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Jerusalem.
(XHTV)