The custom of Kapparos was held this year at a number of locations throughout Moscow. This was due to the popular demand, and was overseen by the Kashrus Department under the auspices of Russia’s Chief Rabbinate. In annual tradition, the yard of the Central Shul in Marina Roscha, was ready to receive the crowds in a fully organized fashion under the sukka that is already being build for the upcoming yom tov of Sukkos.
The Chief Rabbi of Russia Rabbi Berl Lazar arrived at dawn to do kapparos, he inspected the knives of the Shochtim, and covered the blood with sand after the shechita.
Many minyanim were held for Shacharis in the main shul, after which the crowds stood in line to receive lekach from the Chief Rabbi along with blessings for a sweet new year.
Meanwhile, the dedicated Gabbaim worked with an extensive team of workers to finish the many preparations to welcome the throngs of guests, from all shades of the Jewish spectrum in the Russian Capital. Shabbat candles, Neshama candles, kippahs, kitlach, tallitot, comfortable seats, machzorim with translation, and wonderful chazanim, all in a large, air-conditioned hall.
As the fast concluded on Motzei Shabbos, the crowds burst into spontaneous singing and dancing of “Napoleon’s March”, while the Chief Rabbi enthusiastically waves them on from his seat, energetically jumping up and down. We are fully confident that we have won this courtcase and Hashem has accepted all of our prayers and wrote us all for the very best year.
Photography: Levi Nazarov
