11 min

This Covid Life: Corona Kaddish Conundrum Episode 3 The Maggid of Melbourne

    • Judaism

This Covid Life: Corona Kaddish Conundrum

The recital of Kaddish by mourners is a quintessential part of the Jewish bereavement process. It is often an emotional journey. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kaddish recital has often been challenging. Regional lockdowns, quarantine orders, and crowd-limiting measures have hampered the possibility of reciting Kaddish in the traditional forum. In this series, we will explore the various solutions to the conundrum and assess whether any of the solutions will survive the pandemic.



Episode 3: Quorumless Kaddish

Description: Is it possible to recite Kaddish without a minyan? While a precedent for such a course exist, this solution has not been favoured; not by rabbinic leaders, nor by mourners. Indeed, it is difficult to find a source to justify Quorumless Kaddish, and from the perspective of mourners reciting Kaddish without a minyan changes the ritual into a private bereavement rather than a communal enterprise.



Complete Ritual Guide for Kaddish and Covid



Subscribe to the Hasidic Lore Newsletter



Credits - This podcast series is a production of Pardes North America.

Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper - Pardes Faculty and A Shot of Torah Podcast Host

Rabbi Adam Titcher - Executive Producer

This Covid Life: Corona Kaddish Conundrum

The recital of Kaddish by mourners is a quintessential part of the Jewish bereavement process. It is often an emotional journey. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kaddish recital has often been challenging. Regional lockdowns, quarantine orders, and crowd-limiting measures have hampered the possibility of reciting Kaddish in the traditional forum. In this series, we will explore the various solutions to the conundrum and assess whether any of the solutions will survive the pandemic.



Episode 3: Quorumless Kaddish

Description: Is it possible to recite Kaddish without a minyan? While a precedent for such a course exist, this solution has not been favoured; not by rabbinic leaders, nor by mourners. Indeed, it is difficult to find a source to justify Quorumless Kaddish, and from the perspective of mourners reciting Kaddish without a minyan changes the ritual into a private bereavement rather than a communal enterprise.



Complete Ritual Guide for Kaddish and Covid



Subscribe to the Hasidic Lore Newsletter



Credits - This podcast series is a production of Pardes North America.

Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper - Pardes Faculty and A Shot of Torah Podcast Host

Rabbi Adam Titcher - Executive Producer

11 min