What is the Kaddish?
The Kaddish is a Jewish prayer which honors the glory of God. Numerous different forms of the Kaddish are used in the Jewish community, including several forms which are used during daily prayer in a synagogue, shul, or temple. In addition, a special form of the Kaddish is said by mourners, causing some people to associate the Kaddish specifically with mourning.
This prayer was originally written in Aramaic, the language spoken widely by many early Jewish people. The name “Kaddish” comes from the Aramaic qaddis, which means “holy” or “sacred,” and the Kaddish is meant to praise and glorify God. In the Jewish faith, the Kaddish is an extremely important prayer, and many people are familiar with multiple forms of the Kaddish.
During worship, several forms of the Kaddish are used to separate various parts of the services. A Kaddish may be said between various readings of holy text, for example, and at the opening and close of services. A unique form of the Kaddish used by mourners is said during funeral ceremonies, with specific mourners saying the mourner's Kaddish every day for a set period of time which depends on the relationship between the mourner and the deceased.
The mourner's Kaddish is not specifically a prayer for the dead, and in fact it does not mention death at all. Another prayer, the El Maleh Rachamim, is used to pray for the soul of the deceased. When the mourner's Kaddish is said during services, all of those present are expected to join in, as the members of the congregation are all considered mourners, although the congregation is not required to join in on repetitions of the Kaddish said by specific mourners such as parents and siblings.
The Kaddish varies between various sects of Judaism, and because there are so many different forms of the Kaddish, visitors may at times find themselves confused when the Kaddish is said. Many shuls 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, the Kaddish honors God and his greatness, along with his compassion, and many versions also include specific prayers of thanks for his treatment of the Jewish people.
Written by S.E. Smith
