Kaddish for a Father in the 12th Month
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Question
A son who wants to say Kaddish for his father even in the 12th month, can he take a break for a few days and then resume saying Kaddish?
Answer
The Sephardic custom is to take a break for a few days and then continue saying Kaddish until the end of the 12th month. However, the Ashkenazi custom is not to say Kaddish at all in the 12th month.
Source
The wording of the Rema in Siman 376, Section 4: "It is customary not to say Kaddish and prayers for more than 11 months, so as not to make one's father and mother wicked, as the judgment of the wicked is 12 months." From his words, it implies that they cease for the entire 12th month.
It is explained in Knesset Yechezkel that since we hold that part of a period is considered as the whole, if one says Kaddish for one day during the month, it is considered as if for the whole month, and anyone who sees him will think he is saying Kaddish for the entire month, which would be a disrespect to his father. This is the practice of the Ashkenazim, who do not say Kaddish at all in the 12th month.
However, the Ari Z"l wrote that Kaddish is beneficial even for elevating levels within Gan Eden, not just for removing from Gehinnom. Therefore, one should continue saying it even in the 12th month and take a break for a week. This is the Sephardic practice.