Kaddish

[ Ashkenazic Hebrew kah-dish; Sephardic Hebrew kah-deesh ]

/ Ashkenazic Hebrew ˈkɑ dɪʃ; Sephardic Hebrew kɑˈdiʃ /

Save This Word!

noun, plural Kad·di·shim

[Ashkenazic Hebrew kah-dish-im; Sephardic Hebrew kah-dee-sheem]. /Ashkenazic Hebrew kɑˈdɪʃ ɪm; Sephardic Hebrew kɑ diˈʃim/. Judaism.

(italics) a liturgical prayer, consisting of three or six verses, recited at specified points during each of the three daily services and on certain other occasions.

(italics)Also called Mourner's Kaddish. the five-verse form of this prayer that is recited at specified points during each of the three daily services by one observing the mourning period of 11 months, beginning on the day of burial, for a deceased parent, sibling, child, or spouse, and by one observing the anniversary of such a death.

Kaddishim, persons who recite this prayer.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Kaddish

First recorded in 1605–15, Kaddish is from the Aramaic word qaddīsh holy (one)

Words nearby Kaddish

Kaczynski, Kadai, kadaitcha, Kádár, Kaddafi, Kaddish, kadi, Kadiivka, Kaduna, Kael, Kaesong

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Kaddish in a sentence

(Maariv, p.1, NRG Hebrew) Palestinian youth says kaddish for a Holocaust survivor?
Israel Promises Universal Draft Bill By May|Orly Halpern|April 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In the synagogues the kaddish (prayer for the dead) was recited as for a beloved parent.
Rabbi and Priest|Milton Goldsmith
When they leave, the dying man teaches his son how to say "Kaddish" for his soul when he is dead.
The Spirit of the Ghetto|Hutchins Hapgood
They came to that gem of humility, the mourners' prayer; the ancient and ever-solemn Kaddish prayer.
Fanny Herself|Edna Ferber

There was not even one of her kin to say the first Kaddish over her resting-place.
Yiddish Tales|Various
I spoke the only Kaddish for her soul, but we, after all, were complete strangers to her!
Yiddish Tales|Various

British Dictionary definitions for Kaddish

Kaddish

/ (ˈkædɪʃ) /

noun plural Kaddishim (kæˈdɪʃɪm) Judaism

an ancient Jewish liturgical prayer largely written in Aramaic and used in various forms to separate sections of the liturgy. Mourners have the right to recite some of these in public prayer during the year after, and on the anniversary of, a death

say Kaddish to be a mourner

Word Origin for Kaddish

C17: from Aramaic qaddīsh holy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012