Resources from Jewish Traditions
El Maleh Rahamim
Exalted, compassionate G-d, grant perfect peace in Your sheltering Presence, among the holy and the pure, whose radiance is like the heavens, to the soul of (name of deceased) who has gone to their eternal home, in the garden of Eden shall it be his place of rest. Master of mercy, may he find eternal shelter beneath Your sheltering wings, and may his soul be bound up in the bond of life. Adonai is his portion. May he rest in peace. And let us say: Amen.
The Mourner’s Kaddish
Written in Aramaic, the Mourner’s Kaddish is the traditional prayer recited in memory of the dead. There are strict rules as to when this is recited and with whom.
Exalted and sanctified be His great Name in the world which He created according to His will and may He rule His kingdom.
In your lifetime and in your days, and in the lifetime of the entire House of Israel, speedily and in the near future— and say Amen.
May His great Name be blessed forever and for all eternity.
Blessed and praised, glorified, and exalted and uplifted, honored and elevated and extolled be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He; above all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations which we utter in the world—and say Amen.
Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3
A season is set for everything, a time for every experience under heaven:
A time for being born and a time for dying,
A time for planting and a time for uprooting the planted;
A time for slaying and a time for healing,
A time for tearing down and a time for building up;
A time for weeping and a time for laughing,
A time for wailing and a time for dancing;
A time for throwing stones and a time for gathering stones,
A time for embracing and a time for shunning embraces;
A time for seeking and a time for losing,
A time for keeping and a time for discarding;
A time for ripping and a time for sewing,
A time for silence and a time for speaking;
A time for loving and a time for hating;
A time for war and a time for peace.
Psalm 16
A michtam of David.
Protect me, O G-d, for I seek refuge in You.
I say to the LORD,
“You are my Lord, my benefactor;
there is none above You.”
As to the holy and mighty ones that are in the land,
my whole desire concerning them is that
those who espouse another god
may have many sorrows!
I will have no part of their bloody libations;
their names will not pass my lips.
The LORD is my allotted share and portion;
You control my fate.
Delightful country has fallen to my lot;
lovely indeed is my estate.
I bless the LORD who has guided me;
my conscience admonishes me at night.
I am ever mindful of the LORD’s presence;
He is at my right hand; I shall never be shaken.
So my heart rejoices,
my whole being exults,
and my body rests secure.
For You will not abandon me to Sheol,
or let Your faithful one see the Pit.
You will teach me the path of life.
In Your presence is perfect joy;
delights are ever in Your right hand.
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd;
I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me to water in places of repose;
He renews my life;
He guides me in right paths
as befits His name.
Though I walk through a valley of deepest darkness,
I fear no harm, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me.
You spread a table for me in full view of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my drink is abundant.
Only goodness and steadfast love shall pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for many long years.
Psalm 121
A song for ascents.
I turn my eyes to the mountains;
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord
maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot give way;
your guardian will not slumber;
See, the guardian of Israel
neither slumbers nor sleeps!
The LORD is your guardian,
the LORD is your protection
at your right hand.
By day the sun will not strike you,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will guard you from all harm;
He will guard your life.
The LORD will guard your going and coming
now and forever.
