kapparah

noun

kap·​pa·​rah

ˌkäpäˈrä,

käˈpȯrə

plural kapparoth or kapparot

ˌkäpäˈrōt(h),

käˈpȯrəs

1

: a symbolic ceremony practiced by some Orthodox Jews on the eve of Yom Kippur in which typically a cock, hen, or coin is swung around the head and offered in atonement or as ransom for one's sins

2

: sacrifice

specifically : something used as a symbolic sacrifice in the kapparah ceremony

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew, literally, atonement

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