Sources:
[1] The source of this claim is the book Agudat Shmuel on Mishlei 20:27 [which is merely a purported “compilation” from books that never existed, as Rabbi Moshe [son of Rabbi Yaakov] Hillel, shlit”a, discussed at length in a special pamphlet concerning the forgeries of the aforementioned author]. Its words were cited—out of ignorance of the nature of the book Agudat Shmuel—in BeLashon Chachamim, Brandeis, Hilchot Aveilut, at the end of siman 28, in a note on folio 13b. Following him, Mahar”a Papo zt”l also copied it in his book Damascus Eliezer, ma’arechet nun, letter 3.
[2] Responsa Yabia Omer, vol. 4, Yoreh De’ah, siman 35, letter 2, s.v. VeDa; and Chazon Ovadia—Aveilut, vol. 3, p. 56.
[3] There he further substantiated his words: “This may be answered similarly to what the gaon Mahari”ch wrote in Responsa Rav Pe’alim, vol. 4 (Orach Chaim, siman 35), s.v. VeAsher. He cited the words of the questioner, who said that he found explicitly in the book Emet LeYaakov Algazi, in the name of Mahari Molcho, who said in the name of a great sage in the secrets of Torah that he would refrain from reciting hashkavot for the deceased, because when the soul of the deceased is mentioned, it descends below and cannot ascend until the charity pledged on its behalf is paid. He wrote concerning this: Know that such matters were not given to be stated on the basis of reasoning, and one should not rely upon them unless they originate in the Midrashim of Chazal, the Zohar HaKadosh, or from Rabbeinu HaAri z”l, who received from Eliyahu HaNavi z”l. All the more so, this matter is not intellectually acceptable and is most perplexing: why should the soul need to descend to this world because of the mere utterance of the chazzan? After all, even the Ari z”l would not draw souls except through kavanot, yichudim, and profound secrets. Furthermore, why should it be unable to ascend except through charity, etc.? Yet the widespread custom is to recite hashkavot for the deceased, etc. See there. Apply this reasoning to our case.” These are the words of Rabbi Yabia Omer, zt”l.
This response was translated automatically from Hebrew and has not yet been reviewed by a person. Therefore, it may contain inaccuracies and should not be considered a definitive reference.
