Completion of Kaddish

The Aish Rabbi Replies

Following the passing of a parent, Kaddish is recited for 11 months as a merit for his/her soul. Although the Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 17a) writes that for the most wicked, judgment in purgatory may extend as long as 12 months, we recite Kaddish for only 11 months so as not to imply our parent was evil (Rema 376:4).

The 11 months are counted from the date of the deceased’s burial rather than his passing (Bi’ur Halacha 132). In your case, Kaddish would end at the end of the day of 26 Iyar (May 6), after the Mincha prayers.

Note that Sephardic Jews have a different custom. They recite Kaddish for 11 months, then stop for a week, and then continue to complete the year. Also, if the deceased was a sinner, we do say Kaddish for a full 12 months.

In general, if you need to check Hebrew dates, you can refer to the aish.com calendar.

Here is an interesting account of saying the Kaddish: http://www.aish.com/sp/so/My-11-Months-of-Kaddish.html.

May your father’s soul be blessed.

(Sources: Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 376:4; Igrot Moshe Y.D. IV 16; Yalkut Yosef, Aveilut 40, fn. 22.)