Times of Mourning - Information

Despite human mortality, the divine soul, the essence of the person, endures for eternity.

A fundamental tenet of Judaism is the existence of a spiritual afterlife, to which the soul ascends after completing its earthly sojourn. Ultimately, the Jewish soul seeks to bask in the radiance of G-d’s presence, a privilege earned through merits accumulated by having performed G-d’s Will during its earthly stay.

Good deeds performed on behalf of the deceased provide eternal merit for the soul.

Throughout the millennia, Jews have traditionally sought to provide additional merit for the souls of those no longer living, eternally elevating these souls in the World to Come. Once a soul has left this world, it can no longer achieve merit through its own actions, and is entirely reliant on the deeds of the living to enrich its portion in the hereafter.

Adding merit for the departed soul is accomplished through specific mitzvahs (good deeds) performed specifically for the merit of the deceased, which directly impact the soul’s standing in the World to Come. The primary, traditional means of adding merit include the study of Mishnah and Talmud, as well as the recital of the Kaddish and Yizkor prayers, on behalf of the departed.

Mishnah Study

The significance of Mishnah study as a great merit for the departed soul is found in classic Jewish Rabbinic and Kabbalistic sources. These comprehensive laws, comprising the Oral Commentary to the Torah, have been transmitted faithfully from generation to generation.

On a mystical level, there is a direct connection of Mishnah to the departed soul. This is derived from the relationship in Hebrew of the terms ‘soul’ (נשמה) and ‘Mishnah’ (משנה), which utilize the same letters transposed. As such, Mishnah study brings about spiritual elevation to the soul. (P’nei Boruch 39:13 note 25)

There are various customs pertaining to how much Mishnah study should be completed, and by when. Some complete the entire Mishnah in time for the shloshim (thirtieth day after burial), while others complete the study in time for the yahrtzeit (Jewish anniversary of passing). Many choose to do both. There is a custom as well to complete the study of the entire Mishnah for the occasion of each subsequent yahrtzeit, as Kabbalistic works explain that the yearly anniversary of passing is a time when the departed soul has the potential to move ever higher in the Heavenly realm, if provided the merit to do so.

Talmud / Gemara Study

All Torah study is a source of merit for the departed soul, but none is so widely accepted as the mainstay of Jewish scholarship as the Talmud. This encyclopedic work comprises the background and explanation of the Mishnah, and has been studied by serious Torah scholars throughout the ages. The completion of a course of Talmud study is an accomplishment of which to be proud; the merit accrued by the soul of the departed in whose memory the study is dedicated, is enhanced accordingly.

Kaddish Recital

Traditionally recited by the children of the departed, the Kaddish prayer has long been a recognized source of merit for the soul. Through the sanctification of the Name of G-d, as expressed in the prayer, the soul acquires comfort and forgiveness in the Next World.

As explained in the Kabbalistic works,

“After death, the son says… Kaddish, and through this, he saves his father from the judgment of Gehinnom (Purgatory).” (Zohar Chadash, Acharei Mos)

Kaddish must be said in a quorum of ten men, and is traditionally recited by the mourners daily, for eleven months following the burial. Additionally, Kaddish is recited on each subsequent yahrtzeit (Jewish anniversary of passing).

Yizkor Recital

“Yizkor must be recited for a deceased parent. In addition, Yizkor may also be recited for all deceased relatives and friends, if the person reciting Yizkor has a deceased parent.” (Mourning and Remembrance, page 151)

Yizkor (The Prayer of Remembrance) is a unique prayer that is recited in the synagogue on specified Jewish holidays, including Yom Kippur. Formulated specifically for the honor of the deceased, the Yizkor prayer is accompanied by a pledge to charity in merit of the departed soul. Throughout the generations, Jews have made a special effort to attend synagogue at these times, to remember and uplift the souls of their loved ones at these special junctures.

Whatever course of merit you undertake to perpetuate the memory of a loved one, Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah is available to assist you. From supplying you with a Mishnah study chart to commissioning Torah scholars to undertake a particular course of study or prayer, Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah is there for you and your family.

With compassion and devotion, we can enable you to bestow the gift of eternity upon the soul of a departed loved one. See our list of comprehensive services to choose the option best suited to your circumstances.

Provide eternal merit for those dear to you...
...through Mishnah study.