Recently, I watched a video of a Jewish college student petulantly demanding of her Jewish professor that the whole class pray the “Mourner’s Kaddish” for all dead Palestinians in Gaza. This request caused a sharply negative response from the (female) Professor.
As an Irish-Canadian Catholic goy, the issue was completely lost on me because I knew nothing about the Kaddish: here are some resources and information about the prayer.
Background
The “Mourner’s Kaddish” is prayed for lost friends and family — recited, chanted or occasionally sung — in Aramaic. Depending on the relationship with the deceased person, it must be repeated for many days or months. There are several variations and parts of the Kaddish are prayed during most every liturgy / prayer service.
“Along with the Shema Yisrael and the Amidah, the Kaddish is one of the most important and central elements in the Jewish liturgy. The Kaddish is not, traditionally, recited alone. Along with some other prayers, it traditionally can only be recited with a minyan of ten Jews (a minimum quorum of ten adult Jews).” [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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.
“Remarkably, the Mourner's Kaddish does not mention death, nor make any reference to the deceased. It is directed, instead, at the living. The Kaddish affirms G‑d's justice and speaks of the value of life. It states that G‑d is the Creator of the world and that He rules it. Kaddish also states that there will be an Era of Moshiach, when all illness and suffering will cease, and requests that this time be ushered in during our lifetime.” [https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/371079/jewish/What-Is-Kaddish.htm]
The Mourner’s Kaddish is a beautiful prayer and tradition.
Kevin Hay
You can follow Kevin on 𝕏 / Twitter / Twi𝕏 @kevinhay77