On Tuesday, June 7, 2005 I was asked the following question:

My friend died a few weeks ago. He was married with no kids, and was an only child. His mother is not that religious and probably won't be saying Kaddish every day for him.

Is it OK for me to say Kaddish for him?  For how long should it be said?

 

This was my response:

It seems to me that, unless the widow observes Orthodoxy, she should be the one reciting Kaddish for the full 11 months. If she is either Orthodox or otherwise unable or unwilling, you, as his friend, can recite Kaddish for him for as long or as short a period of time that you choose...the one proviso being that your own parents are either deceased or give you expressed permission to do so.
 

If you have questions about a personal matter, or jewish practices and customs, you can submit them to me by e-mail. I answer all queries directly, or through this column, when the question is informative to our community.

Thank you for your kind attention and this opportunity to share with you,
Rabbi Dan S. Wiko
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