Reciting Kaddish via Telephone

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Question

A mourner within the year of his father's passing cannot reach the synagogue to recite Kaddish. Can he recite Kaddish via telephone from his home while the congregation responds Amen in the synagogue?

Answer

He cannot recite Kaddish in this manner because there are not ten people present with him in his home.

Source

Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Siman 55, Seif 1: "Kaddish is recited only in the presence of ten free adult males who have reached the age of maturity, and the same applies to Kedusha and Barechu, which are not recited with less than ten." Mishnah Berurah, there, SK 2: "Ten are required for all matters of sanctity, such as Kaddish, Kedusha, Barechu, Torah reading, and the Priestly Blessing, and they are not recited with less than ten, as it is said: 'And I shall be sanctified among the children of Israel,' which we learn through a verbal analogy from the spies, where it is written: 'How long shall I bear with this evil congregation?' Joshua and Caleb were excluded, leaving ten, who are called a congregation. All Kaddishes are equal in this regard, even the Rabbinic Kaddish after learning."

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