Saying Kaddish without a minyan

according to Judaism, Mourner’s Kaddish prayer is said for the soul of a person who passed away.

In the next article, we will learn about the matter of making sure to say Kaddish in the presence of 10 Jews. Read also about Mourner’s Kaddish prayer – What is Kaddish? and the benefit of saying Kaddish for the soul.

According to the Halakha, the Kaddish prayer must be said in the presence of a minyan – 10 Jews.

The reason for this is that only when 10 Jews congregate, does the Shekhina settle in.

The source for this is the verse in the bible where God says, “that I may be sanctified in the midst of the Israelite people” and the wise men of old learned that this refers to 10 Jews of Israel (Berakhot tractate page 21)

It is further stated in the Avot tractate and in the Berakhot tractate page 6: 10 Israelites dealing with the Torah or prayer – the Shekhina settles in between them (Psalms 82:1) “God presides in the great assembly” and the wise men of old learned that this assembly must include at least 10 people.

Saying Kaddish in a minyan

10 Jewish men over the age of 13 should be gathered, and Kaddish should be said in their presence.

A boy under the age of 13 cannot join a minyan, the same goes for someone who is not mentally healthy.

Saying Kaddish without a minyan

As a rule, Kaddish should not be said without a minyan.

Saying Kaddish without a minyan is not recommended, although this does not involve taking God’s name in vain, since this a prayer in Aramaic that does not include God’s name. However, it is still discouraged to say Kaddish without 10 men because in such a situation it is not needed.

Saying Kaddish in a year of mourning when there is no minyan

In cases where it is not possible for the bereaved to pray in a minyan, one should ask another person to say the Kaddish on a one-time basis instead of the bereaved, since saying Kaddish is very important for the soul of the deceased throughout the entire first year.

The Halakha states that it is possible to hire another Jew to say Kaddish on behalf of the family according the rule “one’s agent is as oneself”.

The responsibility of the appointed agent

It is the agent’s duty to mention, every day and before the prayer, that the Kaddish he is saying is for the benefit of [the full name of the deceased]

In addition, the Halakha states that the service should be paid, since by paying, the saying of Kaddish is bought and assigned to the soul of the deceased.

With Kaddish for the Soul, you can commission saying Kaddish for a year Paid Kaddish.

Read about the Chabad Kaddish service