May a daughter of the deceased recite Kaddish Yasom?[1]

Some Poskim[2] rule that there is no place, or purpose, in having a daughter recite Kaddish for her parent and doing so is foolish and a mockery. Other Poskim[3] rule that from the letter of the law, a daughter of the deceased may recite Kaddish by a Minyan of men if the parent did not leave any male children. Nevertheless, practically, this is not to be done.[4] In all cases of doubt, one is to contact the Rav of that community.[5]

________________________________________________________

[1] See Pnei Baruch 34:20; Piskeiy Teshuvos 132:33

[2] Sefer Chassidim, brought in Beis Lechem Yehuda 376

[3] Chavos Yair 222, brought in Pischeiy Teshuvah 376:3; Shvus Yaakov 2:93; Beir Heiytiv 132:5 in name of Kneses Yechezkal 14; Teshuvah Meahavah 2:229-10; See also Kiryas Chana 35, brought in Pischeiy Teshuvah 376:7; Mahariy Henkin, Hapardes 1963:6; Igros Moshe 8 p. 20; [Igros Moshe O.C. 5:12-2 that she would even enter the shul to say Kaddish]; The daughter of the Radatz Chen said Kaddish for him in Shul until 11 months after he passed away

[4] Chavos Yair ibid; Mateh Ephraim 4:9 Alef Lamateh 9; See Poskim ibid who limited the scenario of allowance; Pnei Baruch ibid

[5] The Rebbe was once addressed this question regarding a family who lost the father and only had young daughters as orphans, and the Rebbe was asked whether the daughters should say Kaddish. The Rebbe replied that the asker should forward the question to Rabbanei Anash. It is told that the Rabbanim answered that the daughters should recite Kaddish and so was done practically.