How many chickens should a family use for Kaparos?[1]

One is to take one chicken per family member.[2] One is to take a male chicken for a male family member, and a female chicken for a female family member. This applies irrelevant of the age of the family member and applies even to a fetus in the mother’s womb. A pregnant woman is to take three chickens for herself and her fetus as explained next. [Thus, for example, a family with six children and a pregnant mother is to take 10 chickens, one chicken per child and parent, and two for the fetus.]

Pregnant woman:[3] For a pregnant woman one is to take and slaughter one female chicken on her behalf, and one female and male chicken on behalf of the fetus whose gender is in question. [Thus, in total, a pregnant woman takes three chickens, two females and one male.]

Q&A

What is one to do if he cannot afford to purchase a chicken for each family member?[4]

If one is unable to afford buying one chicken per family member, then one male chicken may be used for all the male members of one’s household and one female chicken may be used for all the female members of one’s household. This applies even in accordance to those who follow the custom to take one chicken per person.

May one use Maaser money to purchase Kaparos?

Background: It is disputed in Poskim[5] as to whether one may use Maaser money for the sake of a Mitzvah, or if it must be given as charity to paupers. Practically, it is permitted to use Maaser money for the sake of a Mitzvah under certain conditions.[6] These conditions are as follows: a) The Mitzvah is not an obligation for one to fulfill, and rather is voluntary[7]; b) One is unable to afford the voluntary Mitzvah and hence would abstain from doing so unless he uses his Maaser funds.[8] Now, although Kaparos is merely a custom rather than a Biblical or Rabbinical institution, nonetheless, this custom receives an obligatory status. Thus, ideally Maaaser money cannot be used for the fulfillment of this custom of Kaparos. However, it is disputed amongst the Poskim as to whether one must to take a single chicken per family member or if a single male chicken suffices for all the male family members, and a single female chicken for all female family members.[9] The final ruling follows that one is to take one chicken per family member[10], although if one is unable to afford to do so, then one male chicken may be used for all the male members of one’s household and one female chicken may be used for all the female members of one’s household.[11] Based on this, the following is the final ruling regarding using Maaser money to purchase Kaparos:

The law: One may not use Maaser money to perform the Mitzvah of Kaparos.[12] If, however, one cannot afford to buy one chicken per family member, then he may use Maaser money to do so. However, even in such a case, at least one male and female chicken is not to come from the Maaser funds.[13]

May Kaparos be redone with the same chicken on another person?[14]

This follows the same law as above, that initially each person is to use a single chicken which is then slaughtered and not reused for any other person. However, in a time of need, one may use the same chicken for Kaparos of various people.[15] It is forbidden for Kaparos organizers to trick the public and reuse the same chickens for the people doing Kaparos. One who does so is stealing from the original owners and is tricking each subsequent person who reuses that chicken for their Kaparos. Nevertheless, seemingly Bedieved everyone fulfills their obligation, as stated above that in a time of need one may use even one chicken for many people.[16]

_________________________________________________

[1] Siddur Admur; Second custom in Admur 605:3; Custom of the Arizal brought in Shaar Hakavanos and Peri Eitz Chaim Shaar Yom Kippurim; M”A 605:2; Shelah Yuma 235; Elya Zuta 605:4; Tashbatz 125; Bach in name of Mordechaiy Katan; Mateh Efraim 605:2; see Piskeiy Teshuvos 605:1

Other opinions-Ruling of Admur in Shulchan Aruch 605:3: In the Shulchan Aruch 605:3 Admur records a difference in custom and rules as follows: Some [Levush brought in M”A 605:2; Kitzur SHU”A 131:1] are accustomed to take a single male chicken on behalf of all the male members of the family and a single female chicken on behalf of all the female members of the family. Others [Poskim ibid] however are accustomed to take a Kapara chicken for each individual family member. [Admur ibid] 

[2] The reason: As each individual requires an individual Kaparah for his soul. Furthermore, the Kaparah is similar to a Karban and we rule that two people cannot bring a single obligatory offering. [Elya Zuta 605:4]

[3] Siddur Admur; Second custom in Admur 605:3; Poskim ibid in previous footnotes

Ruling of Admur in Shulchan Aruch 605:3: In the Shulchan Aruch 605:3 Admur records a difference in custom and rules as follows: According to the first custom [brought in previous footnotes] that allows exempting many males with one chicken and many females with one chicken, one is only required to take for a pregnant woman two chickens, one male and one female chicken. [Admur ibid; Rama 605:1; M”A 605:2; Mahril] The reason for this is because if the fetus is a male, then he has one male chicken as required, and if it is a female, then it suffices for the mother and fetus to have one female chicken. [Admur ibid; M”A ibid] However according to the second custom mentioned to take a chicken for each family member, a male for a boy, female for a girl, then one is to take for a pregnant woman three chickens, two females and one male. [Admur ibid] 

[4] Mateh Efraim 605:2; M”B 605:3

[5] Stringent opinion-Must give to pauper: Rama Y.D. 249:1 “One is not to use his Maaser money for a Mitzvah, such as to donate candles to a Shul or other Devar Mitzvah, and rather the money is to be given to paupers”; Maharil Rosh Hashanah and Teshuvah 56; See Beir Goleh ibid who explains that the Rama refers to a Mitzvah that one already obligated himself to pay, and on this he can’t use Maaser money, however in general he agrees with the Maharam that Maaser may be used for a Mitzvah, and hence there is no dispute. [Pischeiy Teshuvah 249:2] So can also be implied from Taz 249:1 that there is no dispute. [See Tzedaka Umishpat 6 footnote 7] However, see Chasam Sofer 231[brought in Pischeiy Teshuva ibid and Ahavas Chesed 18:2] who negates this explanation and states that according to Rama:Maharil it is always forbidden to sue it for a Mitzvah, and so explains Rebbe in Toras Menachem 34:272.

Lenient opinion-May use for Mitzvah: Shach 249:3; Taz 249:1; Maharshal; Derisha 249:1; Maharam Menachem 459; Admur Hilchos Talmud Torah 1:7 regarding using Maaser to pay tuition of Talmud Torah; Admur Seder Birchas Hanehnin 12:9 “The Maaser of the son may be used for other Mitzvos”

[6] Admur Hilchos Talmud Torah 1:7 regarding using Maaser to pay tuition of Talmud Torah; Admur Seder Birchas Hanehnin 12:9 “The Maaser of the son may be used for other Mitzvos”; Likkutei Sichos 9:346; Toras Menachem 34:272 [brought in Shulchan Menachem 5:110]

[7] Beir Hagoleh ibid [in explanation of opinion of Rama ibid]; Chasam Sofer 231, Pischeiy Teshuvah 249:2

[8] Shach 249:3; Taz 249:1; Maharshal; Derisha 249:1; Maharam Menachem 459; Admur Hilchos Talmud Torah 1:7 regarding using Maaser to pay tuition; Toras Menachem 34:272 [brought in Shulchan Menachem 5:110]

[9] In the Shulchan Aruch 605:3 Admur records a difference in custom and rules as follows: Some [Levush brought in M”A 605:2] are accustomed to take a single male chicken on behalf of all the male members of the family and a single female chicken on behalf of all the female members of the family. Others [Poskim ibid] however are accustomed to take a Kapara chicken for each individual family member.

[10] Siddur Admur; Second custom in Admur 605:3; Custom of the Arizal brought in Shaar Hakavanos and Peri Eitz Chaim Shaar Yom Kippurim; M”A 605:2; Shelah Yuma 235; Elya Zuta 605:4; Tashbatz 125; Bach in name of Mordechaiy Katan; Mateh Efraim 605:2; see Piskeiy Teshuvos 605:1

[11] Mateh Efraim 605:2; M”B 605:3

[12] Elya Raba 605:6 in name of Shlah; Mateh Efraim 605:10; M”B 605:6 that one should not use Maaser money to redeem the chickens

[13] Piskeiy Teshuvos 605 footnote 4; See regarding Matanos Laevyonim: M”A 694:1 from Shlah 260b; Mahril 56; Elya Raba 686:4; M”B 694:3; Aruch Hashulchan 694:2

[14] See Admur 605:3; Elya Zuta on Levush 605; Hamaor 1985 p. 15; Nitei Gavriel 10:12

[15] M”B 605:3; Levush 605:1 “As two people can take one Kaparah”; This follows the 1^st custom mentioned in Admur 605:3 who allows one chicken to be used for many family members.

[16] Meaning that one fulfills his obligation according to the 1^st custom in 605:3, however according to the 2^nd custom there one does not fulfill his obligation. [See Elya Zuta on Levush 605; Hamaor 1985 p. 15; Nitei Gavriel 10:12]