Dear Rabbi Simon,
Looking ahead to the siyum at Se’udah Shelishit this week, do we say the special kaddish designated for a siyum? I heard that when the Siyum takes place on Shabbos, the expanded kaddish is replaced by the regular Kaddish D’Rabbanan. Is this correct?
Sam
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Dear Sam,
Thank you for your question.
There are indeed different minhagim in this regard. It has been suggested that the background is as follows: In Ashkenazic tradition this “Kaddish HaGadol” was only said at a funeral. Then, by extension, people started saying it at Siyumim on a Yahrtzeit, and subsequently at every Siyum. But because of its “origins” (at the cemetery) some felt it is inappropriate to recite this kaddish on Shabbos. (It is interesting to note that the Yeminites say it for every Kaddish D’Rabbanan.) Although strictly speaking there is no reason a Siyum needs to have a different/special kaddish halakhically, I would suggest that people feel special when they say an extended, distinctive kaddish, which helps the practice stick. Plus, it is printed that way in the back popular editions of the Talmud.
Bottom line, at Kesher we say the special kaddish even on Shabbos.
With best wishes for the Consolation of Yerushalayim
Rabbi Rashi Simon