Comments on: Saying Kaddish Over Kaddish – Rabbi Barry Gelman

By: Rentsy

Rentsy — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 06:33:52 +0000

Terrible idea.

Kaddish saved American Judaism.

Precisely because it is so easy to do, so many people did it.

11 months of davening with a minyan.

That has an effect on people. Being part of the community. Brought some of them back, to Shabbat, yes, and beyond.

By: ilanadavita

ilanadavita — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:04:39 +0000

Interesting suggestion; certainly worth looking into. Regarding Shabbat as “opposed” to lighting candles and eating Shabbat dinner, I suppose it depends who you are making the suggestion to.

By: David S

David S — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:48:17 +0000

I think you have hit upon something important, even if you are describing a somewhat limited opportunity. I was listening on Shabbat last to a sermon by Rabbi Schneier of Park East and he came up with a very profound statement on the whole issue of “who is a Jew”. He said that he would consider anybody Jewish whose grandchildren continue to be Jewish. Now all the rest is commentary, go and learn it, but hes right…we need to look at what works empirically. It seems to be crystal clear that the one thing that keeps Jews Jewish is Shabbat observance. Anything that does that will make a real difference (even if its for novel reasons like you suggest in your article or a technology holiday to help the environment as others discuss). Strengthen Shabbat observance by any means necessary.

By: Barry Gelman

Barry Gelman — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:36:18 +0000

Gedaliah,
Thanks for your reply. I recognize that some get more connected after a year of kaddish. But for the most part it is short lived and a private affair.
Barry

By: Barry Gelman

Barry Gelman — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:34:25 +0000

I agree. SHabbat observance would be defined differently by differnt folks. Any ideas on who can make the grant?

By: Gedalia Walls

Gedalia Walls — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:28:57 +0000

Here is the author to whom I was referring:

http://jewwishes.wordpress.com/2008/05/26/jew-wishes-on-kaddish-by-leon-wieseltier/

By: Gedalia Walls

Gedalia Walls — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:27:58 +0000

I don’t believe he is trying to equivocate Sabbath observance with saying kaddish for a deceased parent. The point is: what is the benefit of having a child who has left the derech say kaddish. A wonderful book, titled “Kaddish”, was written many years ago by someone who has this experience and, as far as I know now, has returned to being fully Sabbath observant. The book dealt with his struggle and how he was the only son of his religious parents, and the desire to honor his parents memory lit a flame that had gone out long before.

By: Hyim Shafner

Hyim Shafner — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:04:11 +0000

A great idea Barry but I’m not sure full Shabbat observance will go over with those who come only for Kaddish. But what if we made an effort to spread the word that equal to kaddish would be Friday night shabbat candle lighting and shabbat dinner every shabbat for 11 months and at the dinner they have to remember the deceased relative and share one memory of them. Then people would feel like it really is about the person who died like they think kaddish is. I would love to try an experiment where we really take such an idea that could transform American Jewery and publicize it widely and see what difference it makes. Guess it would need a big grant behind it.