I don’t know the answer to your question; but for those who are unfamiliar with the Kaddish (which means “sanctification”), it is the Jewish prayer of mourning recited at funerals, in which there is no mention of death but only praise of G-d. Sons are required by Jewish law to recite the Kaddish for eleven months after the death of a parent.If,since, and when, in my experience, the EC has a well documented/validated closer ties to the Jewish culture (as less influenced by Rome proper), is there a Kaddish type prayer that glorifies the God of life in the midst of death?
Thank you!
If you mean Kaddish as in the Syriac term, the Syro Malabar Church has plenty of hymns along the lines. One of the most famous Syriac hymns of the Syro Malabar Church is Kandisa Alaha, which is our Trisagion, it glorifies Gods holy name thrice. Could you reititerate on what you mean by “at the midst of death?”If,since, and when, in my experience, the EC has a well documented/validated closer ties to the Jewish culture (as less influenced by Rome proper), is there a Kaddish type prayer that glorifies the God of life in the midst of death?
Thank you!
Ah thank you, that makes more sense, especially in reference to the last rites or office of the dead. Forgive me I was confused, because the term Kaddish or Kandis (Syro Malabar) is a general term used to mean holy in our rite or Kandisan (one who is holy). The Syriac Churches will probably be the closest church with any link to Jewish prayers, as Dzheremi posted the West Syrians have a prayer similar. For us East Syriacs or at least Syro Malabar, the prayer for last rites or anything associated would be “Qambel Maran” which translated to english recites “Recieve O Our Lord!”The closest that you’ll find to the Kaddish in terms of its text, at least according to my very limited internet research just now, is probably the Sanctus, which in the Syriac tradition is known as the Qadish (not to be confused with the Qadishat, which Thomas48 posted; that’s a different prayer). Here is the Qadish as recited in the Syriac Orthodox tradition, though I don’t know if it’s said at funerals or not: Qadish. According to wiki (I know, bad source; I’m tired and others might do actual research if they wish), this prayer is rooted in Isaiah and the first part of its text matches the congregation’s chant during the kedushah (part of the Amidah, prayed during the Jewish liturgy).
My lovely friend of 20+ years recently lost her father. Both are Jewish. I felt that saying Catholic prayers might not be correct, so I asked a rabbi if there were Kaddish-like prayers that non-Jews could say. He thanked me for my sensitivity and told me that only a Jew could say Kaddish for another Jew. I confess that I did not know that. He suggested that I donate to a charity in the deceased’s name instead, which would honor him and keep his memory alive.I don’t know the answer to your question; but for those who are unfamiliar with the Kaddish (which means “sanctification”), it is the Jewish prayer of mourning recited at funerals, in which there is no mention of death but only praise of G-d. Sons are required by Jewish law to recite the Kaddish for eleven months after the death of a parent.
According to many rabbis of both Conservative and Reform Judaism (I’m not sure about Orthodox Judaism), it is all right for you to say your own Catholic prayers for the deceased, even though you probably should not say Kaddish. I say probably because I suspect some rabbis might allow this as well. I personally believe the good intention outweighs the formal doctrine but I am not a rabbi. Of course, donating to a charity in the name of your friend’s father would also be wonderful. Conversely, many rabbis, including Orthodox rabbis, allow for a Jew to say Kaddish for a non-Jew, although there are certain problems here as well.My lovely friend of 20+ years recently lost her father. Both are Jewish. I felt that saying Catholic prayers might not be correct, so I asked a rabbi if there were Kaddish-like prayers that non-Jews could say. He thanked me for my sensitivity and told me that only a Jew could say Kaddish for another Jew. I confess that I did not know that. He suggested that I donate to a charity in the deceased’s name instead, which would honor him and keep his memory alive.
Meltzerboy, perhaps you are aware that for a time I was considering conversion to Judaism. When a certain surgery was brought up be the Rabbi I chickened out. But I learned the Kaddish in Hebrew only. Can you provide an English translation?According to many rabbis of both Conservative and Reform Judaism (I’m not sure about Orthodox Judaism), it is all right for you to say your own Catholic prayers for the deceased, even though you probably should not say Kaddish. I say probably because I suspect some rabbis might allow this as well. I personally believe the good intention outweighs the formal doctrine but I am not a rabbi. Of course, donating to a charity in the name of your friend’s father would also be wonderful. Conversely, many rabbis, including Orthodox rabbis, allow for a Jew to say Kaddish for a non-Jew, although there are certain problems here as well.
Key on “Judaism 101: Mourner’s Kaddish,” Andrew, and you’ll get the Hebrew as well as English translation.Meltzerboy, perhaps you are aware that for a time I was considering conversion to Judaism. When a certain surgery was brought up be the Rabbi I chickened out. But I learned the Kaddish in Hebrew only. Can you provide an English translation?
I also considered converting to Judaism at one time andrewstx! I took a wonderful discovering Judaism course at both a conservative and reform synagogue. it was very interesting. I wanted to learn more about Judaism also since the roots of Chistianity are in Judaism and Jesus lived his life as a Jewish man. a good website to go to is called aish.com. I receive newsletters from them on spirituality, jewish holidays, etc. and enjoy them a lot. I decided in the end to convert to Catholicism and there are times I receive a story that offends me a little because of the way Christianity is attacked, which is very rare,Meltzerboy, perhaps you are aware that for a time I was considering conversion to Judaism. When a certain surgery was brought up be the Rabbi I chickened out. But I learned the Kaddish in Hebrew only. Can you provide an English translation?
Thank you for the clarification, MorEphrem. I didn’t figure it was any part of the funerary rite (the text, at least as far as I’ve seen it translated, doesn’t seem right for it), but didn’t want to speak out of turn, as I’ve never been to a Syriac funeral.@dzheremi. Just to clarify any doubt: the Syriac Qadish is not a funeral prayer; it is not sung as part of Syriac funerals because the Qadish is part of the Anaphora (right before the Institution Narrative) and we do not do funeral masses.
7sorrows, I can’t tell your gender, but it is much easier for a woman to convert. As a grown man I was terrified at the idea of circumcision. But as a woman all that would be required for you to do is immerse yourself in a mikveh, lucky you!I also considered converting to Judaism at one time andrewstx! I took a wonderful discovering Judaism course at both a conservative and reform synagogue. it was very interesting. I wanted to learn more about Judaism also since the roots of Chistianity are in Judaism and Jesus lived his life as a Jewish man. a good website to go to is called aish.com. I receive newsletters from them on spirituality, jewish holidays, etc. and enjoy them a lot. I decided in the end to convert to Catholicism and there are times I receive a story that offends me a little because of the way Christianity is attacked, which is very rare,
but most of the time I read stories that are inspiring. they probably have some information on the Kaddish there.
The Orthodox synagogue is definitely not within walking distance on the Sabbath!7sorrows, I can’t tell your gender, but it is much easier for a woman to convert. As a grown man I was terrified at the idea of circumsion. But as a woman all that would be required for you to do is immerse yourself in a mikveh, lucky you!
The local temple is also partly conservative and part Reform too. The nearest Orthodox synagogue is 300 miles away in El Paso. I will check into aish.com.
lol :dthe orthodox synagogue is definitely not within walking distance on the sabbath!