Now, Moshe Lefkowitz can’t figure out the fuss over debris, etc., at the site where he has been coordinating kapparot ceremonies for ultra-Orthodox Jews. The ceremony, performed during the period between Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, involves passing a chicken over one’s head three times while a prayer is recited, a symbolic transfer of sins. The chicken is later slaughtered, and its meat given to charity.

Lefkowitz, a butcher by trade, and others who perform kapparot, have said it is hard for those who do not ascribe to kapparot to understand the deeply moving ceremony’s importance. That may be so. But it is easy to understand the Rockland County Health Code, and those rules have to be met within the county’s boundaries. Given, it may be very hard to meet the guidelines with so many live chickens in such a small area, as Lefkowitz has pointed out, but they still must be followed, or violations—and fines—will ensue. And those fines should be paid.

Lefkowitz told staff writer Hema Easley the Rockland Health Department fines (in the thousands of dollars, similar to what he was fined last year and the year before) were “ridiculous.” He says he won’t pay. (He ’s only paid a portion of past fines.) But, last year, in a letter to the editor, he called the health department’s decision to fine him “fair,” and apologized for incurring the violations. He pointed out the health department’s hard job in dealing with the “unique requirements” of the “burgeoning” Orthodox community.

Here’s a letter to the editor from Lefkowitz published Feb. 6, 2008:

Apology for violations at kapparot site

I apologize to everyone: the county, the community, my friends and others who were discomfited and dismayed by the violations I received for the Kaporoth (kapparot) program several months ago. I am especially distressed that I was the cause of much discussion of the issue that had nothing to do with me and my failings, but with others who had nothing to do with my program.
The county government officials were fair in fining me. I respect them for their professionalism and what they did was correct. I am sad that anyone can be mistaken about that.
In the lengthy exile of the Jewish people few governments have been as kind as the Rockland County government. It is not easy for them to deal with the unique requirements of our burgeoning population. But they try. For this we must thank them and bless them.
I conclude by saying that no violations were found regarding cruelty to the chickens. The cleanliness issues were caused because of failed deliveries of certain items and because of other issues. But there was no violation because of cruelty to the chickens.
I thank you for allowing me to apologize.
Moshe Lefkowitz
Monsey
The writer organized a kapparot ceremony at the Rockland Drive-In. The Rockland County Board of Health fined him $3,000 for poor conditions left at the site.