Comments on: Forest Hills chicken-killin’ report

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 16:48:27 +0000

Well, respectfully, FHNative, I’m going to have to beg to differ. I’m well aware that the chicken thing is an old practice, but I do have to take issue with your conflation of kaparot with “Torah Judaism”–which I understand is a popular term among Orthodox Jews but which is also a bit of a confrontational term, you have to admit, implying that Conservative, Reform and other Jews have lost touch with Torah, an assertion most of them would likely dispute. You described it as a “custom,” which is entirely accurate–it’s not at all halachic, as evidenced by Yosef Karo’s distaste for it. While it is true that it remains popular among Hasidim, Hasidism itself is a relatively new form of Jewish practice that started as a rebellious movement less than 300 years ago and has its own traditions, which it very well may believe to be closely connected to the spirit of Torah but much of which originated with the Ba’al Shem Tov and his inheritors, rather than being the pure form of Judaism that many, both Jews and non-Jews, mistakenly believe it to be.

By: FHNative

FHNative — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 16:26:57 +0000

Sorry to revive this thread, but everyone here is obviously not particularly knowledgeable about Torah Judiasm (sorry Steve). The custom of using a chicken goes way back, and is still practiced by most Chassidim. Which brings to mind, Jayne, that you and your mother also are very wrong about why women and men sit separately in the synagogue. It has nothing to do with a woman’s menstrual cycle - it’s because men shouldn’t be distracted from their prayers. Since men are more easily distracted then women, we have to make certain accomodations for their weaknesses.

By: peterd

peterd — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:11:58 +0000

If they also do some chicken juggling, I’m so there…

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 04:50:55 +0000

I believe they’re donated to the poor or something. You might be able to work out a deal.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 02:08:42 +0000

After you “swing” your chicken, will they clean and cut it up for you? Those kosher chickens are the best . . .

By: Birds of a Feather

Birds of a Feather — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 00:30:15 +0000

“I feel like Chicken Tonight, like Chicken Tonight…”

By: Jayne

Jayne — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:45:27 +0000

My Parents are Jewish and my Dad is even a holocaust survivor. They never ever taught me that. And my Dad goes to pray every year on the high holiday. However, my Mom was in an orphan school (yes, I probably need therapy) ran by Hasidics (sp) and they tortured her. This sounds like one of their overblown old school ways.
Like women sitting separate during prayer cuz they might be dirty with their periods.

By: bobbyrab

bobbyrab — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:14:43 +0000

Happy New Year to all those who observe. If you will pardon me, I have to clean up the mess from a chicken projectile that flew through my window.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:28:22 +0000

I am indeed prepared for that, MaryJane, but I fully plan on using my three years in an honest-to-Hashem yeshiva day school featuring four hours a day of religious instruction by long-bearded, black-hatted rabbis as a defense.

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:23:36 +0000

Things like this make me worry about the mindsets of otherwise rational-seeming people. Although I can’t limit it to one particular religious custom. Catholicism, Judaism, Islam all have customs are downright odd. I don’t agree with Bill Maher on a lot of things, but when it comes to religion and its effect on society, I think he is on point.