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
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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
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Levi teaches Bible, Hasidut, Maimonides and Midrash at Pardes. Originally from Australia, Levi holds an LL.B., LL.M. and Ph.D. from the Law Faculty of Bar-Ilan University, and is a member of the Israel Bar Association. He is currently an adjunct professor in the Law Faculty of Bar-Ilan University and post-doctoral fellow in the Law Faculty of Tel Aviv University. Click here to read more. You can find books written by Levi by clicking here
