SOURCE: Bernstein, Jüdische Sprichwörter und Redensarten. In the traditional—and controversial—ritual of Kapparot (atonements), performed on the eve of Yom Kippur, a man twirled a live rooster around his head three times while saying, "This is my exchange, this is my substitute, this is my expiation. This rooster will go to its death and I will proceed to a good, long life and peace."
(image source: 1908 postcard, "Ein frohes neues Jahr! / !לשנה טובה תכתבו", Lowcountry Digital Library, College of Charleston Libraries)
See another saying about Yom Kippur
