What’s Kaddish?

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The Kaddish is a Jewish prayer that honors the glory of God. Numerous different forms of this prayer are used in the Jewish community, including several forms that are used during daily prayer in a synagogue, shul, or temple. Additionally, a special form of Kaddish is uttered by mourners, causing some people to associate it specifically with mourning.

This prayer was originally written in Aramaic, the language spoken widely by many of the early Jews. The name “Kaddish” comes from the Aramaic qaddis, which means “holy” or “sacred”.

During worship, different forms of this prayer are used to separate the various parts of the services. A Kaddish may be said between various readings of the sacred text, for example, and at the beginning and end of services. A unique form for mourners is said during funeral ceremonies, with specific mourners reciting the mourner’s Kaddish every day for a set amount of time which depends on the relationship between the mourner and the deceased. Despite its associations with mourning, this prayer does not mention death at all.

Another prayer, El Maleh Rachamim, is used to pray for the soul of the deceased. When reciting the Kaddish of mourners during services, all present are expected to join in, as members of the congregation are all considered to be mourners, although the congregation is not required to join in repetitions of the prayer said by specific mourners as parents and siblings.

Kaddish varies among the various sects of Judaism, and because it comes in so many different forms, visitors can sometimes find themselves confused when it is said. Many shul provide printed forms of their Kaddish in Hebrew, offering a transliteration for people who cannot read Hebrew, along with an English translation. Like other prayers of praise, this prayer honors God and his greatness, along with his compassion, and many versions also include specific prayers of thanksgiving for his treatment of the Jewish people.

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