Kaddish FAQ

What is Kaddish?
Kaddish is commonly referred to as the "Mourner's Prayer" as it is recited for the deceased. See a complete text and translation of the Kaddish Prayer.
Where did the practice of saying Kaddish come from?
Rabbi Akiva, one of the great sages of the Mishna and Talmud, instituted Kaddish circa 200 C.E.
Do most Jews say Kaddish, or is it only minor detail in our faith?
Kaddish is a strongly held tradition that is widely practiced in all circles of the Jewish community.
For whom does Kaddish need to be said?
Kaddish is said for any member of the Jewish People who has passed on.
Who should be saying the Kaddish?
Preferably, the deceased's son should recite Kaddish. If the person had no sons or if the son is unable to, then Kaddish can be said by a relative, friend or student. One may also hire someone to recite the Kaddish, a practice dating back over 500 years.
When is the Kaddish said?
Kaddish is said on the day of the Yahrtzeit (anniversary of the Jewish Calendar date of passing. Additionally, Kaddish is recited every day for the first eleven months after the persons passing.
Generally, the Mourner's Kaddish is recited once at each of the three daily prayers.
Traditionally, also, the mourner should lead the daily services. He will then be the one to recite the kaddishim which are part of the regular prayers.
Both these and the additional mourner's Kaddish are "credited " to the deceased.
By leading services, the total Kaddishim said would be 16, as per the recommendation of the Kabbalah.
What are the requirements for saying Kaddish?
Kaddish needs to be said in the presence of a Minyan, a quorum of ten, and only after the recitation of Torah verses said in prayer or in study, either scripture or Talmud.
Why do we say a Mishna along with the Kaddish prayer?
In Hebrew, the soul is called "Neshama". Neshama is spelled with the same letters as the word Mishna. Therefore, when fulfilling the requirement to recite verses of Torah before the Kaddish, Mishna is preferable.
If Kaddish was never said for an individual, even years after passing, can Kaddish still be said for them?
Yes, no matter if a Jew had a traditional burial or not, the Kaddish can and should be said on the Yahrtzeit, annually.

The Jewish Spirit

Aside from my memories, where is my deceased loved one right now?
The Jewish soul is eternal. The world we know is only one of many, and is known as the Physical World. After the physical body and the spiritual soul separate, the soul continues living in the spiritual worlds. The merit that is gained through Mitzvot and good deeds in the physical life determine the "spiritual level" on which the soul will live on.
Once separated from the body (by death) the soul continuously climbs to higher levels, growing constantly closer to G-d.
What happens to them when I say Kaddish for them?
Kaddish being recited on a soul's behalf is what allows it to climb to the next level or "world".
What else can we do to help our departed?
All good deeds done in their memory will be a merit to them. Traditionally, the most common tributes are the giving of charity and the study of Torah, specifically Mishna.
Incidentally, the word Mishna has the same Hebrew letters as the word, "Neshama," which is the Hebrew word for "soul."

Kaddish for Others

How can someone say Kaddish for another they've never even met?
The Torah tells us that all Jews are responsible for one another - in all respects
In fact, there is a tradition of reciting the Kaddish for "Meisei Olam", the collective of all Jews who have passed on who may not have someone saying Kaddish on their behalf.
When did we start hiring others to say Kaddish?
The practice of hiring someone to say Kaddish dates back at least to the 16th century.
It is especially helpful when the deceased had no sons able to say Kaddish according to tradition.

Suggested Reading

For more information about this and related topics we suggest reading:
  • The Kaddish Prayer by Artscroll
  • The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning
  • My Prayer by Kehot Publications
  • The Tanya by Rabbi Schneur Zalman, Kehot Publications
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<p>Kaddish: For over 1,800 years, we have honored our parents by saying the Kaddish prayer. Kaddish is a Mitzvah, a true act of kindness, and one of the basic cornerstones of Jewish life. It has the power to lift the soul from one spiritual world to the next, ever higher, every year. Many people wish to say Kaddish for their loved ones, but for various reasons, find it difficult or even impossible. We are one people with one soul. Hence, Torah law teaches that when needed, one Jew can say Kaddish on behalf of any another. Say Kaddish is a service that arranges Kaddish to be said, according to tradition, on behalf of whomever you choose. </p> <p> ABOUT US Since 1955, the Lubavitch Youth Organization continues its effort to awaken American Jews to Torah, Mitzvot, and our proud heritage. Saykaddish.com was created for today's technology, but we have been providing Kaddish arrangements for over 15 years. With our other programs including lectures, campus visits, Shabbat weekends, annual seminars, and the famous Mitzvah Mobiles,the Lubavitch Youth Organization is successfully rekindling the inherent spark in the hearts and minds of the Jewish people. </p> <p>saying the Kaddish, rabbis in Israel who are fully observant of Jewish law, tradition, and practices. You can apply conveniently and safely with our secure online order form, or use our printout form and forward your request by mail or fax. We will mail a confirmation of correct billing, personal information, and service. You will also receive an annual reminder of the upcoming date of the Yahrtzeit when Kaddish will be said. Our organization is committed to the correct performance of this important Mitzvah you share with us. </p> <p> PLANS Kaddish is traditionally said daily for 11 months after a parent's passing, then again on each anniversary, the Yarhtzeit. It is recited on these days as part of the morning, afternoon and evening congregational prayers. </p> <p> ORDERING Visa, Master, and American Express card holders can utilize our convenient and secure* online form. Those who wish to return the form by fax, mail, or pay by check or money order, should use our printout form. The Mishabarach prayer for the sick is a free service. All applicants can use our quick online Mi Shebeirach form. Though we can work on short notice, please allow us a minimum of 24 hours before the Yahrtzeit. *Our online ordering system is processed on a special secure, encrypted, server that prevents unauthorized viewing of your personal information. </p> <p> CONTACT Contact us with special requests or questions about our Kaddish service. Phone: 1-718-953-1000 and ask for Rabbi Shlomo Friedman at ext 13 Fax: (718) 771-6315 Mail: Kaddish Services Lubavitch Youth Organization 770 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, N.Y. 11213 Email: Rabbi@saykaddish.com </p> <p> KADDISH Q AND A -About Kaddish- What is Kaddish? Kaddish is commonly referred to as the "Mourner's Prayer" as it is recited for the deceased. See a complete text and translation of the Kaddish Prayer. Where did the practice of saying Kaddish come from? Rabbi Akiva, one of the great sages of the Mishna and Talmud, instituted Kaddish circa 200 C.E. Do most Jews say Kaddish, or is it only minor detail in our faith? Kaddish is a strongly held tradition that is widely practiced in all circles of the Jewish community. For whom does Kaddish need to be said? Kaddish is said for any member of the Jewish People who has passed on. Who should be saying the Kaddish? Preferably, the deceased's son should recite Kaddish. If the person had no sons or if the son is unable, then Kaddish can be said by a relative, friend or student. One may also hire someone to recite the Kaddish, a practice dating back over 500 years. When is the Kaddish said? Kaddish is said on the day of the Yahrtzeit (anniversary of the Jewish Calendar date of passing. Additionally, Kaddish is recited every day for the first eleven months after the persons passing. Generally, the Mourner's Kaddish is recited once at each of the three daily prayers. Traditionally, also, the mourner should lead the daily services. He will then be the one to recite the kaddishim which are part of the regular prayers. Both these and the additional mourner's Kaddish are "credited " to the deceased. By leading services, the total Kaddishim said would be 16, as per the recommendation of the Kabbalah. What are the requirements for saying Kaddish? Kaddish needs to be said in the presence of a Minyan, a quorum of ten, and only after the recitation of Torah verses said in prayer or in study, either scripture or Talmud. Why do we say a Mishna along with the Kaddish prayer? In Hebrew, the word for "soul," is called "Neshama". Neshama is spelled with the same letters as the word "Mishna." Therefore, when fulfilling the requirement to recite verses of Torah before the Kaddish, Mishna is preferable. If Kaddish was never said for an individual, even years after passing, can Kaddish still be said for them? Yes, no matter if a Jew had a traditional burial or not, the Kaddish can and should be said on the their Yahrtzeit, annually. -The Jewish Spirit- Aside from my memories, where is my deceased loved one right now? The Jewish soul is eternal. The world we know is only one of many, and is known as the Physical World. After the physical body and the spiritual soul separate, the soul continues living in the spiritual worlds. The merit that is gained through Mitzvot and good deeds in the physical life determine the "spiritual level" on which the soul will live on. Once separated from the body (by death) the soul continuously climes to higher levels, growing constantly closer to G-d. What happens to them when I say Kaddish for them? Kaddish being recited on a soul's behalf is what allows it to climb to the next level or "world". What else can we do to help our departed? All good deeds done in their memory will be a merit to them. Traditionally, the most common tributes are the giving of charity and the study of Torah, specifically Mishna. Incidentally, the word Mishna has the same Hebrew letters as the word, "Neshama," which is the Hebrew word for "soul." -Kaddish for Others- How can someone say Kaddish for another they've never even met? The Torah tells us that all Jews are responsible for one another - in all respects In fact, there is a tradition of reciting the Kaddish for "Meisei Olam", the collective of all Jews who have passed on who may not have someone saying Kaddish on their behalf. When did we start hiring others to say Kaddish? The practice of hiring someone to say Kaddish dates back at least to the 16th century. It is especially helpful when the deceased had no sons able to say Kaddish according to tradition. -Suggested Reading- For more information about this and related topics we suggest reading: The Kaddish Prayer by Artscroll The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning My Prayer by Kehot Publications The Tanya by Rabbi Schneur Zalman, Kehot Publications </p>