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Kaparos: [1]
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.[2] [Thus, in total, a pregnant woman takes three chickens, two females and one male. However, if one is unable to afford buying three chickens, then one male and one female chicken may be used.[3]]
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Q&A How many chickens is a woman to take if she is pregnant with twins?[4] It requires further analyses whether she is to suffice with three chickens as any pregnant woman or is to take five chickens.[5] Some Poskim[6] however conclude that she is to take 5 chickens.
If a woman gave birth after Kaparos but before Yom Kippur, should Kaparos be redone on the baby? This matter requires further analyses.[7] However, some Poskim[8] conclude that she is not required to repeat the Kaparos on the infant. style="text-align: justify">If an ultrasound revealed the gender of the fetus, how many chickens are to be used? Some Poskim[9] rule that one may follow the ultrasound and use a chicken of the projected gender. Others[10] rule that one should not rely on it. style="text-align: justify">Must a pregnant woman prior to 40 days of conception use 3 chickens?[11] No. |
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[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; Darkei Moshe 605:2; Bach 605 in name of Mordechai Katan; Shelah Yuma 235; Elya Zuta 605:4; Tashbatz 125; Bach in name of Mordechaiy Katan; Mateh Efraim 605:2; see Piskeiy Teshuvos 605:1; Shevach Habris 1:16; Nitei Gavriel Yom Kippur 10:2; See Likkutei Sichos 22 p. 59; Shaareiy Halacha Uminhag 2:250; Toras Hayoledes 52:10
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]
[2] The reason that a chicken is taken on behalf of the fetus even though it does not require atonement is because the mother may have eaten non-Kosher food during the pregnancy. [Likkutei Sichos 22 p. 60]
[3] Mateh Efraim 605:2; M”B 605:3; See Admur ibid; Rama 605:1; M”A 605:2; Mahril; Levush 605:1
[4] See Likkutei Sichos 22 p. 59; Shaareiy Halacha Uminhag 2:250
[5] The question is that perhaps since this matter is uncommon, and it is in general a doubt whether one needs one chicken per person, then it is not required to take an extra two chickens for the twin.
[6] Kaneh Bosem 2:20
[7] See Hiskashrus 948 footnote 17 that perhaps the atonement for a pregnant woman is not for the fetus but for the woman, and hence once the child is born he needs his own atonement.
[8] Shevet Hakehasi 2:199; Piskeiy Teshuvos 605:2
[9] Kaneh Bosem 2:20
[10] Minchas Yitzchak in a gloss on the above Teshuvah of Kaneh Bosem
[11] Rav Wozner in Koveitz Mibeis Levi 2:17; Piskeiy Teshuvos 605:2