Jews observe the Yahrzeit of a deceased loved one on the anniversary of their passing. The Yahrzeit is when people pray and offer Kaddish (a special mourning prayer) for the dead to help alleviate their final pain. There is also a belief that words spoken on this day reach the ears of God more readily, and good deeds performed on this day can ease the soul’s passage back to heaven. Even though specific yahrzeit prayer may not be there,people follow some rituals or customs in honor of their loved ones who have left the world for a world beyond. Let’s look at some of the standard practices during this time.
Kaddish recital
The Kaddish prayer is an Aramaic hymn chanted in memory of departed generations. Traditionally, mourners say these prayers during the first year of their grief to praise God for having bestowed the deceased with life, finally leading them to heaven’s ultimate happiness and perfection. During this one year, Jews will recite a chapter of Psalms. Because there is a deep emotional connection with these prayers, you may want the recital to be precise and accurate. At the same time, there can be a sense of satisfaction when the chanting follows the rules and guidelines.
Yahrzeit
The date of a soul’s passing is Yahrzeit in Hebrew, and it has special significance for the eternal world. Each year on this day, the soul has to go through an evaluation based on its work in the physical world and gets ascending promotion level unless found lacking. That’s why so many mitzvot happen in their honor each year, including prayers of selfless acts of loving-kindness. Doing this encourages them to make the most out of this chance they’ve. Candle lighting, kaddish recitation, and participation in Torah lectures can be a part of this anniversary. You can go to Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah website for yahrzeit prayer in Hebrew to help your loved one find perfect heaven.
In Judaism, mourning begins when a person dies and ends after “shiva,” the mourning period characterized by sitting on low stools or the floor. It is in remembrance of those left behind and a celebration in honor of the departed family member. During that year, the family invites close ones for the seventh-day meal. During these seven days, the deceased’s family cannotconduct weddings or festivals, shave or listen to music. After this, an additional 30 days require mourners to refrain from attending parties and having fun.
These customs and traditions have more powerful meaning and relevance. However, a grieving person needs comfort and needs to remember the loved one with respect and love. The prayers can help them convey this. And when done by scholars, you can feel more satisfied and understand clearly what those verses stand for and how you can help the one you lost even when they are not physically present. So, make sure you learn about how these prayers and rituals happen or get proper guidance for your relief. The prayers can help you also come out of your mourning stage.
