Kaddish

Kaddish is a prayer that carries great weight. (In fact, those reciting Kaddish stand with their feet together, like during the Amida.) Perhaps this is because it speaks of the honor due to God, and through it we feel connected to the Source of life. When mourners recite it, they are connecting the souls of the deceased with the Source of life. As we mentioned above, Kaddish is recited at the conclusion of each segment of the prayer service, to transition to the next segment on a note of holiness.

Kaddish is in Aramaic, the language spoken by the Jews in Talmudic times. There are four types of Kaddish within the prayer services, as we will see shortly. Here is a translation of the core of Kaddish, which is part of all the types: “Magnified and sanctified may His great name be, in the world He created by His will. May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and in our days (of the congregants), and in the lifetime of all the house of Israel, swiftly and soon – and say: Amen.” The congregation responds “Amen” and adds: “May His great name be blessed forever and all time.” The ĥazan continues: “Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, raised and honored, uplifted and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, beyond any blessing, song, praise, and consolation uttered in the world – and say: Amen.” This core Kaddish is also known as Ĥatzi Kaddish (Half Kaddish).

Here are the four types of Kaddish:

1. Ĥatzi Kaddish is the basic Kaddish and its standard form. The other types of Kaddish have additional material
2. Mourner’s Kaddish (Kaddish Yatom) is recited a number of times during each prayer service, following the recital of biblical verses. This Kaddish starts with the Ĥatzi Kaddish and adds a section of requests for peace and a good life. It concludes with, “May He who makes peace in His high places make peace for us and all Israel – and say: Amen.” Since this section starts with the words “Yehei Shlama,” the Kaddish is also sometimes referred to as Kaddish Yehei Shlama.
3. Kaddish Shalem (Full Kaddish) is said by the ĥazan only once in each prayer service, before Aleinu. It includes everything in the previous two types of Kaddish, as well as a request the prayer be accepted. Since this request starts with the word “Titkabel,” the Kaddish is also called Kaddish Titkabel.
4. Kaddish De-Rabbanan (Rabbis’ Kaddish) is said following Torah study. This Kaddish starts with the Mourner’s Kaddish and adds a prayer for those who study Torah.

Customarily, the ĥazan recites every Kaddish within the prayer service (from the Ĥatzi Kaddish after Pesukei De-zimra until Kaddish Shalem after U-va Le-Tzion). However, when Kaddish is recited at the conclusion of the service or after Torah study, mourners say it to elevate the soul of the deceased (14:14 above).