When are the “Kapparot” performed this year, 2024?

Shalom and blessings,

The time for performing Kapparot is during the Ten Days of Repentance, which are the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

This year, 2024, these days fall between the dates: October 4th, 2024, and October 12th, 2024.

However, the most appropriate time to perform the Kapparot is at dawn, after the Selichot (penitential prayers) on the eve of Yom Kippur. This year, 2024, this time falls on the Gregorian date of October 11th, between 12:42 a.m. and 5:24 a.m. (EST)

The custom of Kapparot is an ancient practice dating back to the times of the Geonim and the early authorities. Some have the custom to perform it with a chicken that is subsequently given for slaughter, while others customarily perform it with money, which is given to charity.

Several explanations have been offered regarding the meaning of this custom, but the central idea is that during this time one should reflect on repentance and think that the chicken or money serves as his substitute and atonement, sparing him from punishment for his sins.

The wording of the prayer recited during Kapparot varies depending on the object used in the ritual.

For those performing Kapparot with money:
One who performs Kapparot with money should set aside a charitable donation according to his generosity, and it is appropriate to give $36 per person, which is roughly the cost of a chicken.

One may donate the Kapparot money to charity via this link.

He should recite the following text three times:

Hebrew:
זה חליפתי, זה תמורתי, זה כפרתי. זה הכסף ילך לצדקה, ואני אכנס לחיים טובים ארוכים ולשלום.

Transliteration:
Zeh chalifati, zeh temurati, zeh kaparati. Zeh hakesef yelech letz’dakah, va’ani eikanes lechayim tovim arukim ul’shalom.

Translation:
“This is my substitute, this is my exchange, this is my atonement. This money will go to charity, and I shall enter into a good, long life and peace.”

For those performing Kapparot with a chicken:
One who performs Kapparot with a chicken should recite the following text three times:

Hebrew:
זה חליפתי, זה תמורתי, זה כפרתי. זה התרנגול ילך למיתה, ואני אכנס לחיים טובים ארוכים ולשלום.

Transliteration:
Zeh chalifati, zeh temurati, zeh kaparati. Zeh hatarnegol yelech lamitah, va’ani eikanes lechayim tovim arukim ul’shalom.

Translation:
“This is my substitute, this is my exchange, this is my atonement. This chicken will go to its death, and I shall enter into a good, long life and peace.”

With blessings for a Gmar Chatimah Tovah (a favorable sealing in the Book of Life),

Rabbi David Ohayon