Hiring Someone to Recite Kaddish in the 12th Month
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Question
A person passed away leaving behind daughters, and there is no one to recite Kaddish for him. Should someone be hired to recite Kaddish for 11 months or for 12 months?
Answer
According to the Ashkenazi custom, Kaddish is not recited in the 12th month to avoid disrespecting the deceased by implying he was among the sinners of Israel. Therefore, a daughter should not hire someone to recite Kaddish for 12 months, as it would be disrespectful to her father.
Source
The Rema writes in Siman 376, paragraph 4: "It is customary to recite Kaddish and prayers only for 11 months, so as not to render one's father and mother as wicked, since the judgment of the wicked is 12 months." It is clear that even if one hires someone to recite Kaddish for the father, it would still be disrespectful to the father, and it is forbidden.
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