Remembering the dearly departed is a significant tradition amongst Jews. It’s called Yahrzeit and is a Yiddish word meaning anniversary of a death. Traditionally the anniversary falls on the Hebrew date, not the Gregorian date. To commemorate the Yahrzeit, mourners light a Yahrzeit candle, which burns for 24 hours. They say Kaddish prayer and hopefully find a deeper connection to their beloved ones in the next world.
It’s important to understand the why of doing this. These traditions are helpful to the grieving and mourning process and mainly done for the soul of our dearly departed. After a person passes on the soul goes through adjustment period to get settled in their new home.
On August 22, 2018 Helen Twersky, of blessed memory, left her body and returned to The One. She was a cherished mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Fleeing the Germans, she emigrated to the United States with her mother. She led a full and mostly wonderful life. Last month I led the unveiling service of her foot stone. As I got to know the family, I learned of her feminine beauty and we blessed her with Jewish feminine prayer. I am most certain her loved ones will light a candle and say a prayer in her memory, at minimum, at sundown tonight.
Below is the simplest of prayer you can read to support her.
May it be your will that the soul of Helen Twersky enjoy eternal life, along with the souls of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, and the rest of the righteous that are in Gan Eden. Amen.
We envision Helen rejoined with husband Israel Twersky resting as the righteous ones in Gan Eden. Amen.
Those of us who mourn and grieve help our loved ones soul rest by blessing their memory with compassion, kindness and care. Here are a few more ideas to add to your Yahrzeit practices and remember the dearly departed.
- Visit your loved one’s grave or a place special to your loved on.
- Create a photo album online and share with family and friends.
- Reminisce: host a dinner with those who knew your loved one.
- Volunteer to a charity that was close to your loved one’s heart.
- Plant a tree in their honor
And to all of us who mourn and grieve; may God’s divine powers enable you and your family to heal and bless you with good health and strength!
Please check out my resource pages here and here for support.
If you want to find the Hebrew date of your dearly departed Click here to convert the Gregorian date of death.
Warmest regards,
Rabbi Melinda Bracha Bernstein
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