The primary Jewish prayer for the dead is the
Kaddish. However, it's important to understand a few key aspects:
* Types of Kaddish: There are several versions of the Kaddish. The one most commonly associated with mourning is the Mourner's Kaddish (Kaddish Yatom). Other versions include the Half Kaddish (Chatzi Kaddish), Full Kaddish (Kaddish Shalem), Rabbi's Kaddish (Kaddish deRabbanan), and others, each used in different contexts during services.
* Purpose of the Kaddish: The Kaddish isn't *about* the deceased in the sense of directly mentioning them or asking for forgiveness for them. Instead, it's a prayer glorifying God and praying for the establishment of God's kingdom on Earth. By affirming God's greatness, the mourner demonstrates faith even in the face of loss. It's believed that the Kaddish elevates the soul of the deceased.
* Who Recites It: The Mourner's Kaddish is traditionally recited by the direct mourners (children, parents, siblings, spouse) of the deceased. It is recited for 11 months following the death and then again on the *yahrzeit* (anniversary of the death) each year.
* Recitation Requirements: The Kaddish must be recited in a *minyan*, a quorum of ten Jewish adults (age 13 for males and depending on the movement of Judaism, 12 or 13 for females in more liberal movements).
The Mourner's Kaddish (Kaddish Yatom) Text
Here is the Hebrew and a common English transliteration and translation of the Mourner's Kaddish:
Hebrew:
יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא.
בְּעָלְמָא דִּי בְרָא כִרְעוּתֵהּ, וְיַמְלִיךְ מַלְכוּתֵהּ, בְּחַיֵּיכוֹן וּבְיוֹמֵיכוֹן וּבְחַיֵּי דְכָל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן.
יְהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ לְעָלַם וּלְעָלְמֵי עָלְמַיָּא.
יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִשְׁתַּבַּח וְיִתְפָּאַר וְיִתְרוֹמַם וְיִתְנַשֵּׂא וְיִתְהַדָּר וְיִתְעַלֶּה וְיִתְהַלָּל שְׁמֵהּ דְּקֻדְשָׁא, בְּרִיךְ הוּא.
לְעֵלָּא מִן כָּל בִּרְכָתָא וְשִׁירָתָא, תֻּשְׁבְּחָתָא וְנֶחֱמָתָא, דַּאֲמִירָן בְּעָלְמָא, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן.
יְהֵא שְׁלָמָא רַבָּא מִן שְׁמַיָּא, וְחַיִּים טוֹבִים עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן.
עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו, הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן.
Transliteration:
Yitgadal v'yitkadash sh'mei rabba.
B'alma di v'ra chirutei, v'yamlich malchutei, b'chayeichon uv'yomeichon uv'chayei d'chol beit Yisrael, ba'agala uviz'man kariv, v'imru Amen.
Y'hei sh'mei rabba m'varach l'alam ul'almei almaya.
Yitbarach v'yishtabach v'yitpaar v'yitromam v'yitnasei v'yit'hadar v'yit'aleh v'yit'halal sh'mei d'kudsha, b'rich hu.
L'eila min kol birchata v'shirata, tushb'chata v'nechemata, da'amiran b'alma, v'imru Amen.
Y'hei shlama rabba min sh'maya, v'chayim tovim aleinu v'al kol Yisrael, v'imru Amen.
Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya'aseh shalom aleinu v'al kol Yisrael, v'imru Amen.
Translation:
Exalted and hallowed be God's great name
in the world which God created according to the divine will. May God’s dominion be established
in your lifetime and in your days, and in the lifetime of the entire House of Israel, swiftly and soon; and say, Amen.
May God’s great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.
Blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, extolled, honored, elevated, and lauded be the name of the Holy One, Blessed be God,
beyond all the blessings, hymns, praises, and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.
May there be abundant peace from Heaven, and good life for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.
The One who makes peace in the heavens, may He make peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.
Important Considerations:
* Variations: There are slight variations in the text and pronunciation depending on the Jewish tradition (Ashkenazi, Sephardi, etc.).
* Congregational Response: The congregation has specific responses at certain points during the Kaddish.
* Meaning and Intention: While the words are important, the intention (kavanah) behind the prayer is paramount. Mourners should focus on the meaning of the words as they recite them.
Other Prayers and Customs:
While the Kaddish is central, there are other prayers and customs associated with mourning in Judaism:
* El Maleh Rachamim: This is a memorial prayer often recited at funerals and memorial services. It *does* mention the deceased by name and asks God to grant them rest in paradise.
* Psalm 23: This psalm is often recited at funerals and during times of mourning.
* Yizkor: This is a memorial service held on certain holidays (Yom Kippur, Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot) where prayers are said in memory of deceased relatives.
* Private Prayers: Individuals may also offer their own private prayers and reflections in memory of their loved ones.
Where to Find More Information:
* Speak with a rabbi or knowledgeable member of your community. They can provide guidance specific to your tradition and answer any questions you may have.
* Consult Jewish prayer books (siddurim) and books on Jewish mourning practices.
In summary, the Kaddish is the central prayer for mourners in Judaism. It's a powerful affirmation of faith and a prayer for the coming of God's kingdom, offering comfort and solace during times of grief.