"While writing this paragraph, hundreds of Israeli Jewish people have begun reciting the Mourners' Kaddish as they mourn and grieve the loss of their dear ones killed in the October 7th massacre. At the saddest, most difficult, and shattering moments we experience, we praise and express our gratitude to God almighty, for God is eternal. Our connection with God and his greatness will continue forever," writes Rabbi Oded Peles, a Jewish cantor and educator living in Israel, in his commentary on the Jewish prayer for the dead.

Kaddish (Hebrew: קדיש – holy; Yiddish: Kadesh) is an ancient Jewish prayer that is recited for eleven months after the death of loved ones. Much of it was written in Aramaic, which indicates its roots in the Second Temple period, i.e., in the Roman period.

Although Kaddish is primarily associated with loss, death, and mourning, there is no mention of any of these elements. Although it is recited for eleven months during the twelve-month mourning period, its purpose is not so much to express grief over the loss as to glorify God in the world.

"After all, what can overcome death? Not we mortals. Our bond and covenant with God almighty, however, can. The awareness and confidence that God is eternal, that our connection with God and his greatness has always and will continue forever, offers much comfort and strength at the most difficult moments," explains Oded Peles, emphasizing the uniqueness of this prayer.

The Kaddish ends with the Hebrew words: "He Who makes peace in His high heavens may He, in His mercy, make peace for us and all Israel, for all inhabitants of the world." "This prayer lifts us above the pain of the here and now and transports us to eternity," says Rabbi Oded Peles, who lives in Israel.

Rabbi Oded Peles' full commentary on the Kaddish:

Six years ago, when my mother passed away, I recited the Mourners' Kaddish every day, as part of the Jewish ritual and traditions during the period of mourning for parents.

While writing this paragraph, hundreds of Israeli Jewish people have begun reciting the Mourners' Kaddish as they mourn and grieve the loss of their dear ones killed in the October 7th massacre.

It is odd that at the saddest, most difficult and shattering moments that we experience in our lives, we actually praise and express our gratitude to God almighty. Whilst our loved one has just departed the world, we praise God's exaltedness and greatness. The Mourners' Kaddish is recited for eleven months, as part of the twelve-month mourning period. Traditionally it is recited out loud by the prayer leader and by the mourners, with the congregation replying Amen.  

Kaddish is a very ancient Jewish prayer focused on sanctifying God's name and glory in the world. Most of the prayer is written in Aramaic, which indicates that it was composed during the Second Temple or Roman period. Originally composed as prayer which used to be recited while studying the Torah, later, it became an integral part of the daily prayers as an appeal to God to hear our prayers as well as asking him to bestow peace in the world.

What makes this unique text so powerful and eternal?

"Exalted and sanctified be His great Name." These opening words refer to the fulfillment of God’s prophecy, through Ezekiel (38:23) “And I will thus exalt Myself and sanctify Myself; and I will be known in the eyes of the many nations, and they will know that I am Adonoy."

Even though Kaddish is mainly identified with loss, death and grief, none of these are mentioned in it. Instead, we mention the exaltedness, the eternity of God. After all, what can overcome death? Not we mortals. Our bond and covenant with God almighty however can. The awareness and confidence that God is eternal, that our connection with God and his greatness has always and will continue forever, offers much comfort and strength at the most difficult moments.

Jewish parents have always made sure that someone would say the Mourners' Kaddish once they passed away as a symbol that they are part of a timeless chain of the Jewish nation and its traditions.

The Kaddish prayer ends with Hebrew words:
"Oseh shalom bimromav. Hu ya'aseh shalom aleinu. V'al kol Yisrael, V'al Kol Yoshvei Tevel, V'imru – Amen.”

He Who makes peace in His high heavens may He, in His mercy, make peace for us and for all Israel, for all inhabitants of the world —and say Amen.
Such a prayer raises us above the pain of the here and now and transports us to eternity.

About the Author

Rabbi Oded Peles - cantor, musicologist, Israeli educator and tour guide. Oded Peles was born in Petach Tikva, Israel to a Dutch-German Jewish family. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a renowned cantor of the Rotterdam synagogue, the Netherlands, Oded has served and performed as a Cantor in communities worldwide, for over thirty years.
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