Yahrzeit Prayers
These prayers are traditionally recited during Yahrzeit, the anniversary of a loved one's passing.
Mourner's Kaddish (קדיש יתום)
The Mourner's Kaddish is one of the most powerful and meaningful prayers in Judaism. It is recited in memory of the departed and affirms faith in God's sovereignty. Traditionally recited during the year of mourning and on Yahrzeit anniversaries, the Kaddish focuses on sanctifying God's name rather than directly mentioning death, expressing hope and continuity of faith across generations.
When to Light a Memorial Candle for Mourner's Kaddish:
- Yahrzeit - The annual anniversary of the loved one's passing (Hebrew calendar date)
- During Shiva - The seven days of mourning following burial
- During Sheloshim - The 30-day mourning period following burial
- During the Year of Mourning - Daily for 11 months following the passing of a parent
- Yizkor Services - Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, Last Day of Passover, and Shavuot
Hebrew
יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵיהּ רַבָּא. [אָמֵן]
בְּעָלְמָא דִּי בְרָא, כִרְעוּתֵהּ. וְיַמְלִיךְ מַלְכוּתֵהּ, וְיַצְמַח פּוּרְקָנֵה, וִיקָרֵב מְשִׁיחֵהּ. [אָמֵן]
בְּחַיֵּיכוֹן וּבְיוֹמֵיכוֹן וּבְחַיֵּי דְכָל-בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן.
יְהֵא שְׁמֵיהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ, לְעָלַם לְעָלְמֵי עָלְמַיָּא יִתְבָּרֵךְ וְיִשְׁתַּבַּח וְיִתְפָּאֵר וְיִתְרוֹמָם וְיִתְנַשֵּׂא וְיִתְהַדָּר וְיִתְעַלֶּה וְיִתְהַלָּל, שְׁמֵהּ דְּקֻדְשָׁא בְרִיךְ הוּא. [אָמֵן]
לְעֵלָּא מִן-כָּל-בִּרְכָתָא וְשִׁירָתָא, תֻּשְׁבְּחָתָא וְנֶחָמָתָא דַאֲמִירָן בְּעָלְמָא, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן. [אָמֵן]
יְהֵא שְׁלָמָא רַבָּא מִן שְׁמַיָּא וְחַיִּים טוֹבִים עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן[אָמֵן]
עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם (בעשרת ימי תשובה: הַשָׁלוֹם) בִּמְרוֹמָיו הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ, וְעַל כָּל-יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן.[אָמֵן]
English Translation
May His great Name grow exalted and sanctified
in the world that He created as He willed.
May He give reign to His kingship
in your lifetimes and in your days,
and in the lifetimes of the entire House of Israel,
swiftly and soon. Now respond: Amen.
May His great Name be blessed forever and ever.
Blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, extolled,
mighty, upraised, and lauded be the Name of the Holy One,
Blessed is He – beyond any blessing and song,
praise and consolation that are uttered in the world. Now respond: Amen.
May there be abundant peace from Heaven,
and life upon us and upon all Israel. Now respond: Amen.
He Who makes peace in His heights,
may He make peace upon us and upon all Israel. Now respond: Amen.
Listen to the Mourner's Kaddish
El Malei Rachamim (אל מלא רחמים)
El Malei Rachamim ("God, Full of Compassion") is a solemn memorial prayer asking God to grant proper rest to the soul of the departed. This prayer is recited at funerals, Yahrzeit observances, and when visiting graves. It speaks of the soul finding shelter "under the wings of the Divine Presence" and being bound up in the bond of eternal life.
When to Light a Memorial Candle for El Malei Rachamim:
- Yahrzeit - The annual anniversary of the loved one's passing (Hebrew calendar date)
- Before Visiting a Grave - Light a candle before going to the cemetery
- At a Funeral - During or immediately after the funeral service
- Yizkor Services - Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, Last Day of Passover, and Shavuot
Version:
Hebrew
אֵל מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, שׁוֹכֵן בַּמְּרוֹמִים,
הַמְצֵא מְנוּחָה נְכוֹנָה תַּחַת כַּנְפֵי הַשְּׁכִינָה,
בְּמַעֲלוֹת קְדוֹשִׁים וּטְהוֹרִים כְּזֹהַר הָרָקִיעַ מַזְהִירִים,
אֶת נִשְׁמַת [שם הנפטר בן שם האב]
שֶׁהָלַךְ לְעוֹלָמוֹ,
בַּעֲבוּר שֶׁבְּלִי נֶדֶר אֶתֵּן צְדָקָה בַּעֲדוֹ.
בְּגַן עֵדֶן תְּהֵא מְנוּחָתוֹ.
לָכֵן בַּעַל הָרַחֲמִים יַסְתִּירֵהוּ בְּסֵתֶר כְּנָפָיו לְעוֹלָמִים,
וְיִצְרֹר בִּצְרוֹר הַחַיִּים אֶת נִשְׁמָתוֹ.
ה' הוּא נַחֲלָתוֹ, וְיָנוּחַ בְּשָׁלוֹם עַל מִשְׁכָּבוֹ,
וְנֹאמַר: אָמֵן.
English Translation
God, full of mercy, Who dwells on high,
grant proper rest on the wings of the Divine Presence,
in the heights of the holy and pure ones who shine like the radiance of the firmament,
for the soul of [name of deceased, son of father's name]
who has gone to his world,
because I will—without obligating myself with a vow—give charity for his sake.
In the Garden of Eden may his rest be.
Therefore, the Master of mercy will care for him forever, under the protection of His wings,
and will tie his soul in the bond of life.
God is his heritage, and he shall rest in peace on his resting place,
and let us say: Amen.
Candle Lighting Blessing (ברכת הדלקת נרות)
The candle lighting blessing is traditionally recited when kindling lights for Shabbat and Jewish holidays. The same blessing is used when lighting a Yahrzeit memorial candle, sanctifying the act of remembrance. For Yahrzeit candles, this blessing is recited as you light the memorial candle on the evening before the anniversary of a loved one's passing. The light serves as a symbol of the soul and an offering of remembrance that burns throughout the day.
When to Light Candles with This Blessing:
- Yahrzeit - Light a 24-hour memorial candle on the evening לפני the anniversary (Hebrew calendar date)
- Erev Shabbat - Friday evening before sunset
- Erev Yom Tov - The evening before Jewish holidays (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover, Shavuot, etc.)
Hebrew
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם,
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו
וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר.
English Translation
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe,
who has sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us to kindle lights.
Note: When lighting Shabbat candles, the ending is "לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת" ("to kindle the Sabbath lights"). For Yahrzeit memorial candles, the simpler form above is used.
Additional Resources
For more information about Yahrzeit observance and Jewish mourning customs, please consult with your local rabbi or Jewish community center.