Too often we Christians forget our Jewish roots. We forget that Christ was a Jew and Scripture tells us that He often went off by Himself to talk with the Father. The New Testament is filled with references to the Psalms. Beautiful and wonderful prayers for all occasions. With the recent death of my mother, I came across an ancient and traditional prayer of mourning called the Kaddish. Unlike other prayers for the dead it contains no reference to the deceased. It is a prayer giving glory, honor and praise to God’s Holy Name. I discovered that it was not a prayer for the deceased but a prayer with the deceased. Belief that the deceased is in heaven praising, honoring and glorifying God’s Holy Name. Through the Kaddish we join with them in their joy in blessing the Lord’s Holy Name. Through this prayer we are connected with them in a unique and wonderful way. St. Paul reminds us in Galatians 1:24 “So they glorified God because of me.” Through this prayer we honor them by praising God with them.
I have included a copy of this prayer here for your consideration.
The Kaddish
Glorified and sanctified be God’s great name throughout the world
which He has created according to His will.
May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days,
and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon;
and say, Amen.
May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.
Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored,
adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He,
beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that
are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.
May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us
and for all Israel; and say, Amen.
He who creates peace in His celestial heights,
may He create peace for us and for all Israel;
and say, Amen.
