Kaddish, the memorial prayer, is traditionally said by one who has lost a parent, sibling, child, or spouse every day for 30 days following the funeral. One who has lost a parent continues for an additional ten months. Kaddish is said in the presence of a minyan (ten Jews) during morning, afternoon and evening prayer services every day.
While most Jews associate kaddish with death, the prayer itself, written and intoned in rhythmic Aramaic, makes no mention of death at all. Rather, the prayer affirms God’s sovereignty, calling the mourner from the chaos of her despair back to God’s presence and to life itself.
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Kaddish Yatom | Prayer
This traditional prayer for the dead, with its mournful, rhythmic incantation, actually makes no mention of death but rather affirms God's presence in life. It is recited daily by mourners throughout the period of mourning.
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Psalm 138: An Alternative to Kaddish | Prayer
The spirit of this Psalm parallels the Mourner's Kaddish and, in translation, can be recited in non-gendered God-Language.
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Mourner’s Kaddish for Everyday | Poem
By Debra Cash
A modern poetic interpretation
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Traveling the Mourner's Path | Complete Ceremony
Paula Jacobs
A ritual on concluding a year of saying kaddish.
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Reclaiming the Mourner's Path | Article
By Anne Brener
An article about the power of traditional mourning practices for healing and an idea for a new ritual
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Women and Kaddish | Article
By Barbara Gaims-Spiegel
An article discussing the issues around Orthodox women saying kaddish
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A Woman's Kaddish | Article
By Jennifer A. Horowitz
A short article inviting Orthodox women, who cannot, or prefer not to say kaddish, to recite Psalm 138 as an alternative daily practice.
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