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Giving Kaparot Money to the Shul

Question

If someone does kaparot with money, does the money need to go specifically to the poor, or can it be given to a shul fund?

Answer

Giving the kaparot money to the shul is fine.

Sources

The Kaf HaChaim, quoting the Sha’ar HaKavanot in the name of Sefer Beit Mo’ed, writes that the purpose of kaparot is not to give them to the poor. Even though giving to the poor is better, the real aim is to sweeten the judgments. Since reaching the poor is not what makes kaparot work, the redemption does not have to go to the poor specifically, and giving it to the shul is fine.

  • Kaf HaChaim, Orach Chaim 605:6 — the intent of kaparot is not to give them to the poor, though that is preferable; the essence is to sweeten the judgments

Author

Rabbi Shay Tahan

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