What is Yizkor?

Question: What is Yizkor?

Answer: Yizkor, which means remembrance in Hebrew, refers to Judaism's memorial prayer service.

When is Yizkor recited?

The Yizkor service takes place in synagogue four times a year.

1. Yom Kippur
2. The last day of Sukkot
3. The last day of Passover
4. The last day of Shavuot

These Jewish holy days are essentially family occasions. In ancient times families would travel to Jerusalem to celebrate together at the Temple. Today families gather together on Jewish holy days for synagogue services and celebratory meals. Thus, these are fitting times to remember family members who have passed on.

Yizkor and Charity (Tzedakah)

The Yizkor prayers include an undertaking to give a donation to charity in memory of the deceased. In ancient times, visitors to the Temple in Jerusalem were obliged to make donations to the Temple. Today, Jews are asked to make donations to charity. By performing this mitzvah of tzedakah in the name of the deceased, credit for the donation is shared with the deceased so the status of their memory is enhanced.

What are the Yizkor Prayers?

The Yizkor service consists of the following prayers:

1. Yizkor
   The Yizkor prayer asks God to remember the soul of a departed relative. The Yizkor prayer is recited individually for each departed close relative. The name of the deceased is mentioned in the prayer. The prayer includes a pledge to make a donation to charity.
2. El Male Rachamim
   This memorial prayer asks God to grant perfect rest to the souls of deceased relatives, again mentioned by name. The prayer includes a pledge to make a donation to charity.
3. Av Harachamim
   In this memorial prayer God is asked to remember the many Jewish communities destroyed through the ages.

How is Yizkor recited?

Yizkor should be recited in a synagogue with a minyan. It is an custom, primarily in Ashkenazi synagogues, for those who have both parents living to leave the synagogue during the first part of the Yizkor service. It is believed that their non-participation in Yizkor advocates long life for their living parents. However, everyone should return to be present for the recitation of the Av Harachamim Memorial Prayer.

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