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El Maleh Rachamin
Alvin Stern
The El Maleh Rachamim prayer is recited for deceased relatives on the occasion
of a Yahrzeit (anniversary of death). It is traditional to recite this prayer
on the Shabbat afternoon immediately preceding the date and again on the Monday
and Thursday mornings before the exact date. The survivor holds the Torah while
the prayer is said, and the name of the deceased is inserted. There is a masculine
and feminine form of this short prayer.
" El Maich Rachamim" means G-d, full of compassion, and asks G-d
to grant eternal rest in Gan Eden for the person being remembered. This prayer
is also recited at the funeral for the first time, and in a plural version at
the Yizkor service. At TBS we often include reference to the Holocaust victims
as well as Israeli soldiers and Jewish martyrs of history. In some shuls when
this prayer is recited one is asked to state publicly how much will be donated
in memory of the deceased. However, at TBS we refrain from this. A contribution
in memory of the relative is appropriate. TBS has many Tzedakah funds.
If you have a Yahrzeit, come to shul on the Shabbat before, and/or Monday
and Thursday morning. Let me know that you are observing a Yahrzeit and simply
tell me the Hebrew name of the person you are remembering. Reciting this Memorial
prayer can be a very touching and meaningful symbol of devotion.
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