Hebrew-English Mourning Glossary

ah-nee-NOOT

The period between death and burial when the mourner (onen) is exempt from positive commandments. This is a time of intense grief when the focus is solely on caring for the deceased and preparing for burial.

ExampleDuring aninut, the mourner does not eat meat, drink wine, or engage in pleasurable activities.

RelatedOnen · Kevurah

SHIH-vah

The seven-day mourning period following burial. Mourners traditionally sit on low chairs, refrain from work, and receive visitors who come to comfort them. The word comes from the Hebrew word for "seven."

Example"We are sitting shiva at 123 Main Street from Sunday through Friday."

RelatedShiva Call · Nichum Aveilim · Aveilut

shloh-SHEEM

The thirty-day mourning period following burial. During this time, mourners gradually return to normal activities but still observe certain restrictions such as not attending celebrations or listening to live music.

ExampleThe sheloshim period ends thirty days after burial.

RelatedShiva · Aveilut

YAHR-tzite

The annual anniversary of a death according to the Hebrew calendar. On this day, mourners light a memorial candle, recite Kaddish, and often visit the grave.

ExampleHer yahrzeit falls on the 15th of Tishrei this year.

RelatedNer Neshama · Kaddish · Yizkor

ah-vay-LOOT

The general Hebrew term for mourning. It encompasses all periods and practices of Jewish mourning, from aninut through the year of mourning for parents.

RelatedAvel · Shiva · Sheloshim

KAH-dish

The mourner's prayer recited in memory of the deceased. Despite being associated with mourning, the Kaddish does not mention death but rather sanctifies God's name. It is recited during services for eleven months after burial and on the yahrzeit.

ExampleA minyan is required to say Kaddish.

RelatedMinyan · Yahrzeit · Yizkor

yiz-KOHR

Memorial prayers recited four times a year: on Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, the last day of Passover, and the second day of Shavuot. The word means "may [God] remember."

ExampleMany congregants stay for Yizkor services to remember their loved ones.

RelatedKaddish · Yahrzeit

ayl mah-LAY rah-khah-MEEM

A prayer meaning "God, full of compassion" recited at funerals, unveilings, yahrzeit, and Yizkor services. It asks God to shelter the soul of the deceased under the wings of the Divine Presence.

RelatedYizkor · Hesped

tzee-DOOK hah-DEEN

Meaning "justification of the judgment," this prayer acknowledges God's righteousness even in times of loss. It is recited at the funeral and cemetery.

RelatedEl Malei Rachamim · Hesped

bah-ROOKH dah-YAHN hah-eh-MET

The blessing meaning "Blessed is the True Judge," recited upon hearing of a death. It acknowledges God's sovereignty even in times of sorrow.

ExampleUpon receiving news of a death, one says "Baruch Dayan HaEmet."

hah-mah-KOHM

One of the names for God, literally meaning "The Place." Used in the traditional condolence phrase: "HaMakom yenachem etchem b'toch she'ar avlei Tzion v'Yerushalayim" (May God comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem).

ExampleWhen leaving a shiva house, visitors say the Hamakom blessing.

RelatedNichum Aveilim · Shiva

min-YAHN

A quorum of ten Jewish adults required for certain prayers, including Kaddish. During shiva, services are held at the mourner's home with a minyan.

ExampleWe need a minyan to say Kaddish.

RelatedKaddish · Shiva

kree-AH

The ritual tearing of a garment as a sign of mourning. For parents, the tear is made on the left side (over the heart); for other relatives, on the right. Today, a black ribbon is often torn instead.

ExampleThe kriah is performed just before the funeral service.

RelatedAvel · Shiva

tah-hah-RAH

The ritual purification and washing of the body before burial, performed by the Chevra Kadisha. It is considered a great mitzvah as the deceased cannot repay the kindness.

RelatedChevra Kadisha · Tachrichim

tahkh-ree-KHEEM

Simple white burial shrouds in which the deceased is dressed. They symbolize equality in death. All are buried in the same simple garments, regardless of wealth or status.

RelatedTahara · Aron

soo-DAHT hahv-rah-AH

The meal of condolence served to mourners upon returning from the cemetery. Traditionally prepared by friends or neighbors, it includes round foods like eggs and lentils, symbolizing the cycle of life.

ExampleThe community prepared a seudat havra'ah for the family.

RelatedNichum Aveilim · Shiva

SHIH-vah kohl

A condolence visit to the mourners during the shiva period. Visitors comfort the bereaved, share memories, and may bring food. Traditional etiquette suggests waiting for the mourner to speak first.

ExampleWe made a shiva call to offer our condolences.

RelatedShiva · Nichum Aveilim

un-VAY-ling

The ceremony dedicating the headstone or monument, typically held within the first year after burial. A cloth covering the stone is removed, prayers are recited, and family members often speak.

RelatedMatzevah · El Malei Rachamim

shmee-RAH

The practice of guarding or watching over the body from death until burial. Traditionally, the body is never left alone, and psalms are read as a sign of respect.

RelatedChevra Kadisha · Tahara

keh-voo-RAH

Burial. Jewish law emphasizes burial as soon as possible after death, typically within 24-48 hours, with simplicity and dignity.

RelatedAron · Beit Olam

HEHS-ped

A eulogy or funeral oration honoring the deceased. Traditionally, it includes praise of the person's character and deeds, and aims to bring those present to tears.

RelatedLevaya · El Malei Rachamim

nee-KHOOM ah-vay-LEEM

The mitzvah of comforting mourners. This includes visiting during shiva, attending the funeral, and providing emotional and practical support during the mourning period.

RelatedShiva Call · Hamakom

ah-ROHN

A coffin. Jewish tradition requires a simple wooden casket without metal or elaborate decorations, emphasizing equality in death.

RelatedKevurah · Tachrichim

leh-vah-YAH

A funeral or funeral procession. Literally means "accompanying," referring to the mitzvah of accompanying the deceased to their final resting place.

RelatedHesped · Kevurah

hahl-vah-YAHT hah-MAYSS

Escorting the dead, the mitzvah of accompanying the deceased to burial. Traditionally, all who see a funeral procession should join for at least four cubits.

RelatedLevaya

tzeh-dah-KAH

Charitable giving. It is customary to give tzedakah in memory of the deceased, often to causes they supported or to Jewish organizations.

ExampleIn lieu of flowers, donations can be made to tzedakah.

ah-VAYL

A mourner. In Jewish law, one becomes an avel for seven close relatives: mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, and spouse. The plural is "aveilim."

RelatedAveilut · Shiva

oh-NAYN

A mourner during the period between death and burial (aninut). The onen is exempt from positive commandments as they focus entirely on arranging the burial.

RelatedAninut · Avel

KHEV-rah kah-DEE-shah

The "holy society", volunteers who prepare the body for burial through tahara (ritual washing) and dressing in tachrichim (shrouds). This is considered one of the highest forms of chesed (kindness).

RelatedTahara · Tachrichim

nif-TAHR / nif-TEH-ret

The deceased (male/female). Literally means "one who has departed." A respectful term used instead of "dead person."

ExampleThe niftar was known for his generosity.

mayss MITZ-vah

A deceased person with no one to care for their burial. Caring for such a person takes precedence over almost all other commandments, even for a High Priest or Nazirite.

bayt oh-LAHM

Literally "eternal home", a euphemism for a cemetery. Other terms include "beit chaim" (house of life) and "beit kevarot" (house of graves).

RelatedKevurah · Matzevah

OH-hel

A structure built over a grave, particularly of a great rabbi or tzaddik. People visit to pray and leave notes requesting blessings.

bayt tah-hah-RAH

The room or building where the tahara (ritual purification) of the body is performed before burial.

RelatedTahara · Chevra Kadisha

nehr neh-shah-MAH

A memorial candle, literally "soul candle." It is lit on the yahrzeit and on Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, Passover, and Shavuot. The candle burns for approximately 24 hours.

ExampleWe lit a ner neshama on her yahrzeit.

RelatedYahrzeit · Yizkor

mah-TZAY-vah

A headstone or monument placed on a grave. It typically includes the deceased's Hebrew and English names, birth and death dates, and an epitaph.

RelatedUnveiling · Beit Olam

ah-lee-YAH leh-KEH-ver

Visiting a grave. It is customary to visit the graves of loved ones before the High Holidays, on a yahrzeit, and on the anniversary of a parent's death.

ExampleWe made an aliyah l'kever before Rosh Hashanah.

RelatedBeit Olam · Yahrzeit

mah-TZAY-vet zee-kah-ROHN

A memorial plaque, often placed in a synagogue, listing names of deceased members with their yahrzeit dates. Electric lights next to names are illuminated on the yahrzeit.

RelatedYahrzeit · Ner Neshama

zikh-roh-NOH / zikh-roh-NAH lee-vrah-KHAH

May his/her memory be a blessing (abbreviated z"l). A phrase added after mentioning a deceased person's name, expressing the wish that their memory continue to inspire.

ExampleMy grandmother, Sarah, zichronah livracha, loved to bake challah.

ah-LAHV / ah-LAY-hah hah-shah-LOHM

Peace be upon him/her (abbreviated a"h). A phrase added when mentioning a deceased person, wishing them peace in the afterlife.

ExampleMy father, alav hashalom, was a teacher for forty years.

RelatedZichrono Livracha

oh-LAHM hah-BAH

The World to Come, the afterlife in Jewish belief. While beliefs vary, the concept provides comfort that the soul continues after physical death.

RelatedNeshama

neh-shah-MAH

The soul. In Jewish thought, the neshama is the divine spark within each person that returns to God after death.

RelatedOlam HaBa · Ner Neshama

kah-DOHSH

Holy or sacred. Someone who died sanctifying God's name (such as in the Holocaust) is referred to as a kadosh or martyr.

ExampleThe Six Million kedoshim who perished in the Holocaust.

ah-DAHR

The twelfth month of the Jewish calendar (February-March). In leap years, there are two Adars (Adar I and Adar II). Yahrzeits for deaths in a regular Adar are observed in Adar II during leap years.

RelatedYahrzeit

KHEHSH-vahn

The eighth month of the Jewish calendar (October-November). Also called Marcheshvan. The month has no holidays and is sometimes called "bitter" Cheshvan.

TISH-ray

The seventh month of the Jewish calendar (September-October) but the first month of the Jewish civil year. Contains the High Holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) and Sukkot.

eh-LOOL

The sixth month of the Jewish calendar (August-September). A time of introspection before the High Holidays. Many visit graves during this month.

RelatedAliyah L'Kever