For as long as I can remember, I've always heard the experssion "say kaddish for ..." a person. I had always interpreted the "for" as meaning that the person was the recipient of the action. I thought of it in the same way as you would use "for" in the sentence, "Say a prayer for him".
However, it recently occurred to me that perhaps I've been misinterpreted the meaning of "for". The Kaddish is It's about God's greatness. It is a prayer FOR God. So what does it mean to say Kaddish "for" someone?
I think I finally figured it out (perhaps I'm the last one to do so). When I say Kaddish "for" someone I am saying it on their behalf. I am praising God for them since they no longer can. That makes more sense. It is part of the Mitzvah of keeping someone's name alive. By saying Kaddish for them, you are perpetuating their presence in the world. That's a powerful Jewish idea.
More importantly, taking on that practice will help me think of other ways to keep those people alive. It will remind me of what they stood for, what they cared about, and what they did. Maybe it will even drive me to continue repairing the world on their behalf.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
When I say Kaddish for my son, I am saying it essentially for myself. Saying these very old words in the presence of our caring community with Rabbi leading the chant in a voice that stays strong when mine falters to tears midway, I feel a strong connection to him (small "h").
I wonder it it would give mourners strength if everyone stood during the recitation of Kaddish. I would like that.
Diane
There is a wondrous, well-written wow of a book of short stories in our CBS library whose title is For the Relief of Unbearable Urges. (Can't find the underline icon.) This is a first book that Nathan Englander wrote at the age of twenty-nine in 2000.
It is a quick, yet savorable, read whose characters work with the author's genius for telling tales from Auschwitz to present day life in Brooklyn. They all dance to life in front of the readers' eyes, some through pathos and some through comedy.
Diane
What a great point. There is certainly something to be said for community and how it can help carry us in such times. I also like how you've framed the "for". You are saying it for your son but in doing so, you are really saying it for yourself. In that way, your son continues to give you a gift of comfort.
That book sounds very interesting! I'll have to check it out!! Thanks for the suggestion.
Post a Comment