Mourner's Kaddish Prayer

 

The Kaddish is an ancient prayer of praise (written in Aramaic) that expresses a longing for the establishment of God's kingdom on earth. The words of the Kaddish provide lasting comfort by stressing the greatness and sovereignty of God, even in the most harrowing of life circumstances. The word kaddish means sanctification, referring to the hallowing of God's name. Jewish tradition requires that Kaddish be recited during the first eleven months following the death of a loved one and thereafter on each anniversary of the death (called the Yahrzeit). Kaddish is usually recited by the mourner(s) while they stand with a minyan, or group of at least 10 adults in a congregation.