The More Important Mitzvah

Question:

Which is of greater importance (or comes first) according to Judaism? Keeping kosher or going to the Synagogue to say Kaddish for one’s parent? Thanks a lot.

AskTheRabbi.org answered:

It's a tricky question to answer because each one has a different dimension to it. Yet, after giving your question serious thought and consideration, I would say that keeping kosher takes precedence because it is a Torah obligation, whereas reciting Kaddish for a parent is a Rabbinical edict. However, having said that, our Rabbis through the ages discuss the incredible benefits that the soul of a parent receives when Kaddish is recited for them — that is not something that should be discounted easily.

I’m not sure from your question what the conflict is between keeping kosher and saying Kaddish. If at all possible, barring any unusual circumstances, I think that the “real answer” to your question is that they should not be looked at as an “either/or” situation, but rather they should both be done!

I hope this reply is helpful, and please feel free to write again regarding this or any other question about Judaism.

Similar Questions
Kosher > Misc. "Kosher" Keeping Kosher in the Army Pyrex Food Vessel Roommate Who Doesn't Keep Kosher Delivering Pizza Kosher Dog Food Children's Books War and Peas A Kosher (Golf) Course Blessing A Kosher Question Keeping a Kosher Family	Life Cycle > Death and Mourning 120 Funeral Etiquette Yahrzeit Date Getting Married at Funeral Home Wreaths on Graves What is Sitting Shiva? Kaddish for a Friend Unfortunate Family Event Jewish Cemetery A Day to Remember Parent Requesting Cremation Burial and Cremation Kaddish How Long is Kaddish Said? Cremation (2) Reincarnation Miscarriages Euthanasia What Happens After Death? Tattoo and Burial Tattoo Taboo Why Say Kaddish? Honoring a Parent Sitting Shiva for a Baby Learning the Laws of Mourning for Someone Who is Still Alive Organ Donation Bon Voyage Jewish Cemetary Longevity Limits Visiting Gravesite Explaining Death to a Child Cleaning Gravestones Visiting a Mourner Quality of Life When does Sitting Shiva End? The “Kaddish” Prayer Who Says Kaddish, How Long? Sitting Shiva for Half Sibling Dealing with Death Travelling for Yahrzeit Making a Monument Of Blessed Memory Perpetuating a Loved One Mourner Leading Prayer Services A Letter to Beyond Cremation The Last Day of Mourning Jewish Burial Attending Engagement During Mourning My Child's Wedding During Mourning Expressing Condolences Tombstone Date Covering Mirrors During Week of Mourning Another World: More Than Meets the Eye Unveiling Don’t Pass the Shovel The Comforting Visit Close to Death Placing Stones on Graves A Reality Check Services in a House of Mourning Where Do We Go When We Die?	Mitzvot > Rationale Purpose of Commandments Oral Law Yizkor on Joyous Holidays Tithing Ark Direction in Synagogue Growing Beards Charity Salt – The Spice of Life A Sabbatical for the Land Covering Eyes and Shabbat Candles Clean Hands at Last Women’s Exemption from Time Bound Mitzvot Forbidden Fabrics? Blue Tsitsit Day of Rest The Ten Tenets Dome of the Kippa Mitzvah Methodology Doing a Mitzvah with God Being a Good Jew Forgiveness Without Regret Making Tzitzit – Number of Twists Red, White and Not Blue Why Wine? Why So Many Commandments? Love Your Neighbor Modesty Why Do a Mitzvah? A Meaningful Mitzvah Tefillin Shape The Jewish Wrap Negel Vasser – Morning Washing

Have a question?

Gateways - Your Key to Jewish Continuity

AskTheRabbi.org is a service of the Gateways Organization © 2024
Technical problems? Please contact the AskTheRabbi Support team