Kaddish Derabanon

It is customary to recite a special kaddish, known as the kaddish derabanon ("the rabbis kaddish"), whenever ten or more people have completed a Torah study session together.[1] The reason that this kaddish was given this name is because it is essentially a prayer that God bless the rabbis and other Torah scholars. So too, in times past it was generally only recited after Talmud study which was generally the rabbis' domain.[2]

A number of authorities are opposed to the widespread practice of reciting the kaddish derabanon following any Torah stud y. This is especially true if less than ten people participated in the study.[3] According to this view, not only is a minyan required in order to recite the kaddish derabanon (just like any other kaddish) but at least ten people must have participated in the study, as well. This is because the purpose of the kaddish derabanon is to sanctify God's name which is something that also results when a minyan gathers together for Torah study. Therefore, unless ten or more people participated in the Torah study, the kaddish derabanon which follows is unjustified.[4]

This opinion is consistent with the ruling that the one leading services may only recite the kaddish at the conclusion of a section of the service if those prayers were recited in the presence of a minyan. For example, in the event that a minyan was not present for the recitation of Ashrei at Mincha, the kaddish which normally follows Ashrei should not be recited until some other chapter of Tehillim is recited by the minyan together.[5] Some authorities are lenient and allow the kaddish to be recited if at least six out of ten people in the minyan studied Torah together or recited a complete section of the service together.[6]

There is also an opinion which permits even an individual who studied Torah alone to recite the kaddish derabanon in the event that a minyan happens to enter the room as he concludes his study.[7] Other authorities are slightly more strict than this and require at least two or three people to have studied together in order to warrant a kaddish derabanon.[8] Common custom is to ensure that at least a minyan has studied together before reciting a kaddish derabanon.[9] There is no minimum amount of Torah which must be studied in order to warrant reciting kaddish after study. Even a few verses, and certainly a complete Mishna, justify the recitation of kaddish.[10]

It is interesting to note that many authorities only permit the recitation of kaddish derabanon following the study of Talmudic passages which include scriptural interpretation, popularly referred to as aggadic teachings.[11] It is for this reason that the Mishnaic teaching of Rabbi Chanania ben Akashya[12] is usually recited out loud for all to hear before a kaddish derabanon is recited.[13] So too, reciting a Mishna out loud for all to hear also ensures that everyone present has "participated" in Torah study which, as mentioned, better justifies the recitation of the kaddish.[14] Following the study of the Tanach one should recite the regular mourner's kaddish[15], though some authorities allow one to recite the kaddish derabanon following any area of study.[16]

[1] Rambam, Seder Hatefilla.

[2] Elya Rabba 155:1.

[3] Magen Avraham 69:4; Aruch Hashulchan, OC 55:5.

[4] Magen Avraham 234:1.

[5] Magen Avraham 234:1.

[6] Rambam, Hilchot Tefilla 8:4; Mishna Berura 69:8; Minchat Elazar 4:72.

[7] Taz, OC 55:3.

[8] Lechem Chamudot cited in the Magen Avraham, OC 69:6.

[9] Shulchan Hatahor 55:3.

[10] Kol Bo 6; Magen Avraham 54:3; Elya Rabba 581:13.

[11] Mishna Berura 54:9.

[12] "Rabbi Chanania ben Akashya said: The Holy One, blessed be He, wanted to bestow merit upon Israel, therefore He gave them Torah and mitzvot in abundance, as it is written: 'G-d wanted, for its [Israel's] righteousness, to make the Torah great and mighty' (Yeshayahu 42:21)."

[13] Minhag Yisrael Torah, OC 54:1.

[14] Minhag Yisrael Torah, OC 55:1.

[15] Elya Rabba 155.

[16] Minhag Yisrael Torah, OC 54:1.