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Prayer and Worship |
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The two most well- known Jewish prayers, the Sh’ma and the Kaddish, both praise God and bless God’s name. However, while the Sh’ma is biblical in origin, the Kaddish is not. The Kaddish developed gradually over several hundred years. Its origins from the early Rabbinic period are reflected in the language in which it is written: Aramaic, then the common vernacular. While Aramaic is no longer the spoken language of our people, it is still the language of the Kaddish (except for the last sentence, which is in Hebrew). The Kaddish , with its well known cadence, is usually familiar to even the most secular Jews. However, few understand the meaning of the words they are saying. While the Kaddish is associated with death and mourning, the content of the prayer has no connection with either. Rather than speaking of death, the Kaddish praises God and expresses our hope for life and peace. This powerful prayer recognizes that while mourning is legitimate, death is a part of God’s plan. Therefore we are called to “stand up to life” and praise Adonai whether or not we understand that plan, even in the face of the most profound loss. For liberal Jews today, saying the Kaddish can be deeply meaningful, as it connects us to those who came before us and helps us to create moving rituals around remembrance. Background: The Kaddish originated as a prayer said at the conclusion of a study session. Jews gathered to study sacred texts in memory of notable scholars who had died; in time, this practice was extended to honor the memory of all those who had died. Eventually the Kaddish became a prayer associated with mourning the dead. The first written reference to the Kaddish prayer in relation to the laws of mourning comes from the Shulhan A’ruch, authored by Rabbi Joseph Karo (1488-1575 CE). During the Middle Ages Jewish communities felt an acute need for a special prayer of mourning, since this period saw many horrendous persecutions, including the Crusader massacres of Jews in the
Practice: Halacha (Jewish law) attaches particular importance to the mitzvah of a child reciting Kaddish in memory of a deceased parent (this is usually done for a period of 11 months). Traditionally this obligation was binding only on sons, but liberal Judaism extends the obligation to daughters as well. In medieval times, saying Kaddish was understood as a way of “elevating the soul” of the person who had died. Today, we may understand the ritual of saying Kaddish as a way of elevating the soul of the mourner, who, by reciting these words, is brought back into connection with life and the community. It is especially significant that halacha prescribes that the Kaddish is not supposed to be said alone. Rather, tradition teaches that the Kaddish is to be said within the context of communal prayer, in the presence of a minyan (a quorum of at least 10 Jews). The effect of this requirement is that it brings the mourner out of isolation, encouraging mourners to be with others who will provide comfort and support. This teaching shows the wisdom and psychological insight inherent in Jewish tradition, which recognizes that in the face of death we need the supportive presence of others who care for us. It can also be very meaningful to say Kaddish outside the context of a traditional prayer minyan, whether alone, or with others. On a personal note, this winter after my husband died, my sons, daughters-in-law and I planted an apricot tree on my front lawn in remembrance of him, and we included the Kaddish as part of the small ceremony that we did at this time. Reform Judaism recognizes the importance of the communal ritual of saying Kaddish, but also encourages individuals to develop their own meaningful ways of remembering the dead. Death often leaves us feeling lonely and bereft. After the week of shiva, when family who have come together from near and far return to their homes, the need to go to the synagogue to say Kaddish in the presence of a supportive community is even more important. Additionally, for me, knowing that while I was saying Kaddish for my husband here at Beth Am, one son was saying Kaddish in Argentina, and my other son in Chico, gave me great comfort. I was able to feel that despite our geographic separation, we were still together, still enfolding one another in our traditions, helping one another to cope with our shared loss and sadness. Biblography The Mystery of the Kaddish, Its Profound Influence on Judaism, Leon H. Charney and Saul Mayzlish, Barricade Books Inc., 2006. Jewish Virtual Library, www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org, “Mourner’s Kaddish”, Shira Schoenberg, 2007 Heritage, Civilization and the Jews, DVD Prayer Text:
Let the glory of God be extolled, let God’s great name be hallowed in the world whose creation God willed. May God rule in our own day, in our own lives, and in the life of all
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