V'imru Omein

Yis'ga'dal v'yis'kadash sh'may ra'bbo . . .

If you’ve attended a Jewish funeral, you know those Hebrew words begin the Mourner’s Prayer – also known as ‘Kaddish.’

I’ve said the prayer many times at Jewish funerals I attended. But I never bothered to find the English translation.

But on August 5, 2018, when we gathered to say Kaddish over my mother’s casket, I decided to find it.

Yis'ga'dal v'yis'kadash sh'may ra'bbo . . .

I was surprised to discover the Mourner’s prayer speaks nothing of death. Not a word. Instead, what it does speak of is the goodness and grandeur and the worthiness of our God.

What a beautiful and fitting prayer for those who grieve.

I'm sure it is not an exaggeration to say that better than 90% of Jews in America are not in the least fluent in their understanding of Hebrew. Many might be able to read the language – but without a translation the words may as well be gibberish.

And that’s sad, because mourners often miss the whole point of relational Jewish faith. I say ‘relational’ because God has always wanted His people to have a personal, vibrant, loving, and trusting relationship with Him. He has always wanted – maybe ‘hoped’ is a better word in this context – He has always hoped that His people would trust Him to be good all the time – and in all situations.

Yis'ga'dal v'yis'kadash sh'may ra'bbo . . .

Yes, God is good when the death is expected. He is good when it is sudden and unexpected. He is glorious when the death is accidental. Or suicidal. Or homicidal. He is worthy of praise when the death is of an infant, or of a great-grandparent.

He is good at all times and in all situations because He is God. He cannot be anything less than good, and wondrous, and worthy of praise.

Yis'ga'dal v'yis'kadash sh'may ra'bbo . . .

My mother’s birthday is next week, on September 8. She would have been 91. I will light the Yahrzeit candle in her memory that evening. And I will recite the Kaddish that begins, “Yis'ga'dal v'yis'kadash sh'may ra'bbo . . .”

And then I will pray the words in English:

"May the great Name of God be exalted and sanctified throughout the world which he has created according to His will. May His Kingship be established in our lifetime and in our days, and in the lifetime of the entire household of Israel, swiftly and in the near future."

"V’imru Omein"  (English translation: And let us say, Amen.)

"May His great name be blessed forever and ever. Blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, extolled, honored, elevate, and lauded be the Name of the holy one, Blessed is He above and beyond any blessings and hymns, above any praises and consolations which are uttered in the world."

"V’imru Omein."

"May there be abundant peace from Heaven, and life, upon us and upon all Israel."

"V’imru Omein."

"He who makes peace in His high holy places, may He bring peace upon us, and upon all Israel."

"V’imru Omein."