[Avodah] Chasam Sofer Responds to Rav Yaakov Emden, Defends the Singular Ashkenazic Kaddish

[R Davidovich]

>>When would you guess that phenomenon of having multiple people say Qaddish
at once started?

>His reason is to prevent Ktatot uMerivot - "disputes/arguing? and fights"

ZGG!  I don't hold it against those German kehillos or Telshe-derived
Minyanim wishing to preserve the Minhag of having only one Kaddish sayer at
a time.  However, based on my experience and that of many communities and
rabbis, the desire to promote the spread of this minhag is faulty and
misguided.

I agree that gabboyim should take the responsibility of eliminating the
confusing cacophony that often results from multiple Kaddish sayers
dispersed throughout the shul. This can be resolved by having the Kaddish
sayers gather around the Bima, or in some other space.  But even in the
absence of such a takana, the prevalent practice of the multi-person
recitation has eliminated a great number of fights in Klal Yisroel.  The
rabbinic endorsement of the practice is a fulfillment of "Talmidei Chachomim
Marbim Sholom BaOlam". "Yehi Sholom B'cheileich, Shlava B'Armenosayich",
"She'HaSholom Shakul K'neged Hakol".

A lack of Sholom of competing yesomim can be ugly. Never underestimate the
yearning, perhaps unwarranted by dry Halacha alone, that Jews have for
honoring their parents especially with Kaddish. Many, especially but not
exclusively those with a limited Ivri capacity to lead the entire davening,
see it as the primary way to show respect.  Bluntly phrased, the imposition
or even strong encouragement of the variant and perhaps older minhag, would
C"V harm Klal Yisroel.

According to many of Rav Ruderman's talmidim, he frequently quoted an
expression from the Introduction to a Sefer called "Ein Habedolach". The
author, a city Rov who spoke from wisdom as well as experience, writes,
"Mutav She'yumad Tzelem B'Heichal, V'Al Yarbeh Machlokes B'Yisrael."   His
choice of words might have been a little hyperbolic, but only a little.
Those who adopt his phrase as a  mantra of sorts will surely reap its
rewards.

Raphael Davidovich
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