Kaddish (Mourner’s Prayer)
The Mourner’s Kaddish is said during the three daily prayer services, in the presence of a minyan (quorum of ten adult members), during the eleven months following the death of a parent or close relative, and on the Yahrzeit, or anniversary of the death of a parent or close relative. The date for observing a Yahrzeit is its date in the Hebrew calendar, beginning with the evening service, and continuing on through the following morning and afternoon services.
A conversion tool for converting secular calendar dates to Hebrew dates can be found at: www.hebcal.com
Click here for the Mourner’s Kaddish in Hebrew and transliteration.
An audio version of the Mourner’s Kaddish can be found at yahrzeit.org/kaddish_eng.html
In addition to the recitation of the Kaddish following a death or on a Yahrzeit, there are four memorial services, called Yizkor services, held on Yom Kippur, Pesah, Shavuot, and Sh’mini Atzeret. The Yizkor dates for 5770 (2009-2010) are:
- Yom Kippur: September 28, 2009
- Sh’mini Atzeret: October 10, 2009
- Pesah: April 6, 2010
- Shavuot: May 20, 2010