Jewish Customs
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Kaddish: The Mourner's Prayer Explained

Understanding one of Judaism's most sacred prayers and its profound role in the mourning process

By Jewish Obituary Editorial Team
Updated January 2025
Jewish prayer book opened to Kaddish with tallit
J

Jewish Traditions Expert

Religious Traditions Consultant

Judaic studies backgroundCommunity education experience

Our traditions expert provides guidance on Jewish mourning customs, drawing from traditional sources and contemporary practice. Content reflects the diversity of Jewish observance across denominations.

In This Guide

The Mourner's Kaddish stands as one of the most recognizable and emotionally resonant prayers in all of Judaism. Yet paradoxically, this prayer recited by those in mourning contains no mention of death, grief, or loss. Instead, it is a profound affirmation of faith, a sanctification of God's name, and a declaration of hope for the coming of God's kingdom.

Written in Aramaic—the common language of Jews during the Talmudic era—this ancient prayer has been recited by countless mourners across centuries and continents, serving as a powerful spiritual bridge between the living and those who have passed, between grief and healing, between this world and the world to come.

What is Kaddish?

At its core, the Mourner's Kaddish (Kaddish Yatom in Hebrew) is a doxology—a hymn of praise to God. Despite being forever associated with mourning, the prayer's text focuses entirely on glorifying and sanctifying God's name, expressing hope for peace, and affirming faith in divine providence.

The prayer serves multiple spiritual functions: it honors the deceased by affirming faith in the face of loss, it elevates the soul of the departed through righteous actions of the living, and it provides structure and communal support during the intensely personal experience of grief.

11 months

Kaddish recitation period for parents (not 12, to show confidence in parent's righteousness)

Source: Jewish Law

10 adults

Minyan required for Kaddish recitation

Source: Talmud

5 forms

Half Kaddish, Whole Kaddish, Mourner's Kaddish, Rabbi's Kaddish, Burial Kaddish

Source: Siddur

"The Kaddish does not mention death. It is a hymn of praise to God, and an affirmation of faith in the face of tragedy."

Rabbi Maurice Lamm

Rabbi, Author of 'The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning'

The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning

The Origins of Kaddish

The Kaddish prayer has a rich history spanning nearly two millennia. The opening phrase—"May His great name be exalted and sanctified"—echoes Ezekiel 38:23: "Thus will I magnify Myself, and sanctify Myself, and I will make Myself known in the eyes of many nations."

The oldest written version of Kaddish appears in the Siddur of Rab Amram Gaon (circa 900 CE). Originally, Kaddish was not a prayer for mourners at all—it was recited by rabbis at the conclusion of public Torah study sessions and sermons.

Why Aramaic Instead of Hebrew?

The Kaddish was composed in Aramaic, the spoken language of Jews in ancient Babylonia and Israel during the Talmudic period. Rabbis wanted everyone to understand this important prayer, not just scholars who knew Hebrew. Some scholars, including Professor Yoel Elitzur, argue that Kaddish was originally written in Hebrew and later translated to Aramaic.

"When Israel enters synagogues and study halls and responds 'May His great Name be blessed,' the Holy One shakes His head and says: 'Happy is the King who is praised in His house.'"

Talmud Berakhot 3a

Talmudic Source

Talmud Bavli

The Legend of Rabbi Akiva

The association of Kaddish with mourning began in the 12th-13th centuries, linked to a medieval legend about Rabbi Akiva. According to this story, Rabbi Akiva encountered the tormented soul of a dead man who told him his suffering could only be relieved if his son would recite Kaddish and lead the congregation in prayer. Rabbi Akiva found the man's son, taught him, and when the boy recited Kaddish, his father's soul was elevated.

The first halakhic mention of mourners reciting Kaddish appears in the 13th-century work Or Zaruaby Rabbi Isaac ben Moses of Vienna. From there, the practice spread throughout the Jewish world.

"Or Zarua was the first halachic source requiring mourners to recite Kaddish, establishing the practice that spread throughout the Jewish world."

Or Zarua (13th century)

Rabbi Isaac ben Moses of Vienna

Halachic Codex

When Kaddish is Recited

Mourners recite Kaddish at specific times during Jewish services:

  • During the 11-month mourning period for parents (some traditions observe 12 months)
  • During the 30-day Sheloshim period for other immediate family members
  • On the Yahrzeit (annual anniversary) of a loved one's death
  • During Yizkor services on major holidays

Who Can Say Kaddish?

Traditionally, Kaddish was recited only by sons. However, in many modern Jewish communities, daughters, spouses, and other relatives also say Kaddish. Some communities even have "Kaddish groups" where community members ensure that Kaddish is recited for those who have no one to say it for them.

"Yitgadal v'yitkadash sh'mei raba..." - "May His great name be exalted and sanctified..."

The Significance of the Minyan

Kaddish is recited only in the presence of a minyan (a quorum of ten Jewish adults). This requirement emphasizes that mourning is not a solitary experience but one supported by the community. The congregation responds "Amen" and "Y'hei sh'mei raba..." affirming the mourner's words.

The Full Text of the Mourner's Kaddish

The Kaddish is written in Aramaic, the everyday language of Jews during the Talmudic period. Below is the complete text with transliteration and translation.

יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא

Yitgadal v'yitkadash sh'mei raba

May His great name be exalted and sanctified

בְּעָלְמָא דִּי בְרָא כִרְעוּתֵהּ

B'alma di v'ra chirutei

In the world which He created according to His will

וְיַמְלִיךְ מַלְכוּתֵהּ בְּחַיֵּיכוֹן וּבְיוֹמֵיכוֹן

V'yamlich malchutei b'chayeichon uv'yomeichon

May He establish His kingdom during your lifetime and during your days

וּבְחַיֵּי דְכָל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל

Uv'chayei d'chol beit Yisrael

And during the lifetimes of all the House of Israel

בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב. וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן

Ba'agala uvizman kariv, v'imru amen

Speedily and in the near future, and say Amen

Congregation responds:

יְהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ לְעָלַם וּלְעָלְמֵי עָלְמַיָּא

Y'hei sh'mei raba m'varach l'alam ul'almei almaya

May His great name be blessed forever and for all eternity

יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִשְׁתַּבַּח וְיִתְפָּאַר וְיִתְרוֹמַם וְיִתְנַשֵּׂא

Yitbarach v'yishtabach v'yitpaar v'yitromam v'yitnasei

Blessed and praised and glorified and exalted and extolled

וְיִתְהַדָּר וְיִתְעַלֶּה וְיִתְהַלָּל שְׁמֵהּ דְּקֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא

V'yit'hadar v'yit'aleh v'yit'halal sh'mei d'kudsha b'rich hu

And honored and elevated and praised be the name of the Holy One, Blessed is He

לְעֵלָּא מִן כָּל בִּרְכָתָא וְשִׁירָתָא תֻּשְׁבְּחָתָא וְנֶחֱמָתָא

L'eila min kol birchata v'shirata tushb'chata v'nechemata

Above all blessings and songs, praises and consolations

דַּאֲמִירָן בְּעָלְמָא. וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן

Da'amiran b'alma, v'imru amen

Which are uttered in the world, and say Amen

יְהֵא שְׁלָמָא רַבָּא מִן שְׁמַיָּא וְחַיִּים עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל. וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן

Y'hei sh'lama raba min sh'maya v'chayim aleinu v'al kol Yisrael, v'imru amen

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, upon us and upon all Israel, and say Amen

עוֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל. וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן

Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya'aseh shalom aleinu v'al kol Yisrael, v'imru amen

May He who makes peace in His high places make peace upon us and upon all Israel, and say Amen

Notice that the prayer never mentions death. Instead, it is a powerful affirmation of faith—a declaration that even in the depths of grief, the mourner sanctifies God's name and affirms hope for the coming of His kingdom. This act of faith is believed to bring merit to the soul of the departed.

Kaddish in Different Denominations

Orthodox: Traditionally only males recite Kaddish, though this is evolving in some communities.

Conservative: Men and women equally recite Kaddish.

Reform and Reconstructionist: Full egalitarian approach to Kaddish recitation.

The Emotional Journey of Kaddish

Many mourners find that the daily commitment to recite Kaddish provides structure during grief. The requirement to attend services ensures community support and prevents isolation. Over the months, the rhythm of the prayer becomes a meditation, a daily reminder of the loved one, and eventually, a path toward healing.

Kaddish in Modern Times

Today, technology has made it possible for those unable to attend daily services to participate in virtual minyans. Some communities offer Kaddish livestreams, ensuring that mourners everywhere can fulfill this sacred obligation.

Learning to Say Kaddish

If you're not familiar with the prayer, don't let that stop you. Most synagogues provide:

  • Transliterated texts for easy reading
  • Audio recordings to practice pronunciation
  • Classes on Jewish mourning practices
  • Support from the community during services

Key Hebrew Terms

קַדִּישׁ

Kaddish(kah-DISH)— "Sanctification"

Prayer sanctifying God's name, recited by mourners to honor the deceased.

מִנְיָן

Minyan(min-YAHN)— "Quorum of ten"

The minimum number of adult Jews required for public prayer and Kaddish.

יָתוֹם

Yatom(yah-TOME)— "Orphan"

The Mourner's Kaddish is also called Kaddish Yatom (Orphan's Kaddish).

יְהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא

Y'hei Sh'mei Raba(yeh-HAY sheh-MAY rah-BAH)— "May His great Name be blessed"

The congregation's response, considered the most important part of Kaddish.

Key Takeaways

  • 1
    Kaddish contains no mention of death—it's an affirmation of faith and praise of God
  • 2
    Traditionally recited for 11 months for parents, 30 days for other relatives
  • 3
    Requires a minyan (10 Jewish adults) emphasizing community support
  • 4
    Written in Aramaic, the common language of Jews in the Talmudic era
  • 5
    Modern communities increasingly adopt egalitarian approaches to Kaddish recitation

Conclusion

The Mourner's Kaddish is far more than a prayer—it is a profound spiritual bridge connecting grief and healing, the individual and the community, this world and the world to come. Through its daily recitation, mourners find not only comfort but structure, not only words but meaning, not only solitude but communal embrace.

By affirming faith even in the depths of loss, by sanctifying God's name through our grief, and by joining our voices with generations of mourners who have spoken these same ancient words, we transform personal sorrow into a sacred act. In doing so, we honor those we've lost while finding the strength to continue living, ensuring that their memory remains forever a blessing.

Sources & References

Talmudic Sources

  • Berakhot 3a. The Power of Responding Amen
  • Sotah 49a. Importance of Kaddish

Halachic Sources

  • Siddur of Rav Amram Gaon (c. 900 CE). Earliest written Kaddish
  • Rabbi Isaac ben Moses of Vienna (13th century). Or Zarua. First halachic source for mourners reciting Kaddish

Books & Publications

  • Rabbi Maurice Lamm. The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning. Jonathan David Publishers

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