4008 —אבל לא יאמר הלל לפני העמוד

B"H, 3 Teves, 5716.

Brooklyn.

Havavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Shmuel Menachem Mendel Schneersohn

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from 7 Kislev: May it be G‑d's will that from now on you will know no more sorrow or distress and only hear good news regarding yourself and your entire family.

Regarding what you wrote about an avel (mourner) leading the prayers for Hallel: It is surprising to ask about this, since for about five years our custom has been published in the Chanukah booklet, in the tzt"z's essay "Baruch She'asa Nissim," Kehot Publication Society, 5711...

Regarding your question: a) Whether to hire someone else to say Kaddish after the elderly woman of blessed memory since she had no sons and the grandchildren are already saying Kaddish after her son—their father of blessed memory. It seems to me that since there is an advantage in a grandson saying it, especially a son’s son compared to someone else, the grandchildren should say it. As written in later authorities (see Kitzur Shulchan Aruch section 26:17; Sdei Chemed Aveilus sec. 53; Kol Bo p. 376), one Kaddish counts for two deceased individuals. In Zera Emes (cited in Sdei Chemed Aveilus sec. 158), this is not so. But perhaps there it is different because at least a relative says it, unlike hiring someone else. Further investigation is needed in the above sources; I do not have them at hand.

b) Whether to say Kaddish after the elderly woman after completing eleven months since the father's passing—there is concern that this may appear as if he considers his father wicked in the eyes of listeners. In Mishnas D'Rav Akiva (cited in Elef HaMagen on Magen Avraham and in Maharsha's notes on Yoreh Deah), it is clear that there is no need to worry about this concern. The same is written in Knaf Renanah (cited in Kol Bo p. 369), and similarly appears in the above-mentioned Kitzur Shulchan Aruch.

He concludes with good wishes.

Summary

The Rebbe clarifies that an avel should not lead Hallel before the amud according to Chabad custom and addresses halachic details regarding who should recite Kaddish when there are no sons, emphasizing preference for relatives over outsiders.