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A Saul and the Restless Mini-Guide
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| What? | Console those in mourning. |
| When? | The mourner's kaddish is recited at each of the three daily services. The mourner's kaddish is actually recited twice during the morning service. |
| How the Prayer Is Recited: | Traditionally, those in mourning rise to say the Kaddish.
"Those in mourning" includes members of the immediate family of the deceased:
spouse, children, siblings, and parents. Traditionally, too, the only ones who actually
recite the Kaddish are those in mourning. Many congregations have extended the definition of a mourner to include anyone who chooses to mourn a loss. In most of these congregations, everyone rises to recite the Kaddish so that mourners do not feel alone and to say Kaddish for all who do not have someone to say Kaddish for them. Rabbi Leila Berner suggests an alterative: during the first paragraph of the Kaddish, only those who identify themselves as being in mourning stand. Then, at the beginning of the second paragraph, the congregation also rises and joins them in their prayer, as a means of showing support for those in mourning. |
| Background and History: | According to Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, writing in Jewish Cultural Literacy, the Kaddish is an Aramaic prayer that is about 2000 years old. Aramaic is a language that is similar to Hebrew that was widely spoken at the time. The Kaddish says nothing about death. Instead, it describes the greatness of God. Reciting the Kaddish as the memorial prayer dates to middle ages. Why this prayer was chosen as the memorial prayer is not known. Telushkin suggests that the prayer testifies that the "decesased left behind worthy decendents¾ people who would go to services and proclaim ongoing loyalty to God. |
More about Prayers
About the Siddur | Barchu
| Asher Bidvaro | Ahavat Olam
| Shema | Amidah | Aleinu
| Mourner's Kaddish | Yizkor,
Memorial Service
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