עברית
Halachot and Customs
May a Mourner Recite Tehillim?
Question
Dear Rabbi,
I have two questions:
1. Can a mourner during the Shiva recite Tehillim?
2. When the deceased's children are God-fearing, is there an obligation for the deceased’s brother to say Kaddish?
Thank you in advance.
Answer
Greetings,
1. One who is unable to study (in the places where it is permissible for a mourner to learn), but can only read from the Book of Tehillim, can recite Tehillim as a request and prayer (Chazon Ovadia, Avelut, Vol. 2, p. 190; and see sources there, pp. 194-195).
2. There is no obligation (see Chazon Ovadia, Vol. 1, p. 258, s.v. Umi who).
Best wishes,
Hillel Meirs
