I'm studying the similarities between Catholicism and Judaism. I was wondering if there is a practicing Orthodox Jew in this forum that could explain in a bit more detail the purpose of the Mourners Kaddish. I'm particularly interested in understanding if the prayers are offered strictly as a memorial to the deceased or if they are somehow considered beneficial for the eternal state of the departed loved one.
Thanks,
Bill
In the morning kaddish you praise The Almighty. (I don't know if I can tell you every detail) but read it yourself if you find it.
A Jew hardly do a prayer for a person who died, there are traditions. But to much thinking or praying for a dead person, or talking to him, later-on declare him Holy etc.etc. is actiually ''not done'' in the sence of the our tradition.
Especially you can't ask a ''dead'' soul to do things for you.
Although for exsample King David prayed for his son Abshalom, and it's said that it helped the status of Abshaloms after life...
Well that is in short
Here is an article on this site dealing with the very topic:
What Do We Do With Yizkor?
from that article:
However, when the scriptural portion concludes and the prayers for the dead begin, I feel we should remain silent. We should not pretend to ask God for that which we know is contrary to His Word. The writer to the Hebrews tells us that "man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). It would be comforting to think that we can do something to alter a person's destiny after he or she passes over, but it would be false comfort. When a person dies, he or she is in the hands of God. We must dwell on the mercy and justice of God at these times and affirm His perfect judgment. As we think about our departed family members, let's put our trust in God.
-emphasis mine-
I'm studying the similarities between Catholicism and Judaism. I was wondering if there is a practicing Orthodox Jew in this forum that could explain in a bit more detail the purpose of the Mourners Kaddish. I'm particularly interested in understanding if the prayers are offered strictly as a memorial to the deceased or if they are somehow considered beneficial for the eternal state of the departed loved one.
Thanks,
Bill
Jews believe that after a person dies he/she goes to Gehinnom, which is sort of a half-way house between this life and Heaven. In Gehinnom that person receives whatever punishment is due to him/her. This continues for up to a maximum of 12 months, after which the person takes his/her place in the World to Come (Heaven, for want of a better word) or just disappears if he/she has been especially bad.
We further believe that reciting Mourner's Kaddish will save the deceased from that day's punishment in Gehinnom. As we do not assume that a person is so wicked as to require a full 12 months of punishment, the custom is to stop reciting the Kaddish up to a month before the 12 months is up.
It is customary for the son to recite the Mourner's Kaddish, but if there isn't one then anyone else without parents may recite it for the deceased.
Every year on the anniversary of the death (Yahrtzeit) Mourner's Kaddish is recited for the deceased at every service in the Synagogue on that day.
As Yetzirah231 quite correctly pointed out, the Kaddish is totally a praise to God; indeed, it is used at all services in some form or another at the end of each part of the service, regardless of whether or not there are any mourners.
Thanks for your replies.
Another question … Is the person being “punished” or might it also be seen as some means of sanctification?
Catholics believe that we cannot be in the presence of God unless we are made completely pure. We do not believe that our sinful nature is “covered” or “overlooked” by God’s grace but that we are actually transformed, partly in this life and partly in the next. The Eastern Orthodox has a similar understanding but don’t use the same word that Catholics use. We call it “purgatory” which is a “purging” of our sinful nature until we are made perfect and able to be in God’s presence.
We do not believe it is a “second chance” or that we can “alter a persons destiny”. Prayers offered for brothers and sisters who have passed on are to aid in their sanctification so that they may soon be in the presence of God.
Thanks for your replies.
Another question … Is the person being “punished” or might it also be seen as some means of sanctification?
Part punishment and part purification.
HaRav~
Would you be so kind as to give scriptural basis for such thoughts? Honest question.
wk~
Catholics believe that we cannot be in the presence of God unless we are made completely pure.
But, isn't this saying that Jesus' blood on the Mercy Seat is not
enough/sufficient? What is atonement if not covering? What is forgiveness if not "
He has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west"?
HaRav~
Would you be so kind as to give scriptural basis for such thoughts? Honest question.
My honest answer - no, I can't, which you well know as I find that Christians are much better versed in the Written Torah than the vast majority of Jews (including, I am ashamed to say, myself).
What I have put forth as the reason for, and effect of, Mourner's Kaddish is derived purely from our oral tradition, as is most of Jewish practice.
Now I know that it is pointless for me to argue in these Forums on the basis of our oral tradition; only arguments based on actual verses will have any effect. However, in this particular case I was asked
as a practicing Orthodox Jew to explain the Mourner's Kaddish, and so I did.
Thank you, HaRav.
no, I can't, which you well know
I truly did not know. Scriptures are pointed out to me by others that either 1) I am NOT
so familiar with, or 2) are read/interpreted differently than I do.