Yizkor Memorial Service

Direct Answer

A Yizkor memorial service is a Jewish prayer recited in synagogue to remember deceased loved ones. The name means ‘may G-d remember.’ Yizkor is recited four times a year, on Yom Kippur, the last day of Passover, the second day of Shavuot, and Shemini Atzeret, and includes a private pledge to give tzedakah in the deceased’s memory.

Yizkor (lit. “remember” or “May He (G-d) remember”) is a memorial prayer, recited during holiday services in many Ashkenazi synagogues. The classic Jewish prayer of remembrance is a sacred tradition honoring the departed. It’s a cherished moment when mourners pause and reflect on the love, and sometimes complex feelings, between the living and deceased.

The Yizkor portion of services also centers around the opportunity to give tzedakah generously in our since-passed loved ones’ honor. Referred to as doing a mitzvah “li’ilui nishmat” (to elevate someone’s soul), we increase their standing in heaven through donating in their merit. It also serves as praying for their atonement on the Yom Kippur.

Yizkor and Jewish Mourning

While Judaism has prescribed laws and practices for mourning, the expression of personal grief is a truly individual need. Both public and private forms or mourning exist in Jewish practice, to help support the living as they grieve.

Visiting a grave or lighting a candle to observe yahrzeit, for example, is considered a private form of mourning. Yizkor, on the other hand, is a more public observance in which the bereaved in a community all participate.

You may not live near a shul that does Yizkor, or you may not be able to attend. The good news is, you can participate nevertheless. Colel Chabad offers Yizkor services in which we’ll designate someone to attend Yizkor for your loved one(s) on your behalf. You can fill in the form above to apply. To learn more about the service, read on.

Origins of Yizkor

The Midrash Tanchuma, a body of biblical commentaries by the Aggadic sage Tanhuma bar Abba mentions the custom of remembering the deceased by pledging to give tzedakah on their behalf on Yom Kippur. This is a likely source for the practice of saying Yizkor, which became popular during the Crusades era. The Jewish memorial prayer’s official name is Hazkarat Neshamot (lit. ”recalling the souls”) but is more commonly known by its first word, Yizkor. Originating in Ashkenazi shuls (Yiddish for “synagogues”), Yizkor isn’t customary in Sephardi communities. However, some do a similar set of prayers called Hashkavot on a yahrzeit (death anniversary), Yom Kippur, or upon request.

Is Yizkor the Same as Kaddish?

Yizkor and Kaddish are both important Jewish prayers related to mourning and honoring the deceased. Both traditions are fundamental, however, they have distinct roles. Yizkor is a memorial prayer recited to remember and honor deceased loved ones during specific holidays. Kaddish is a prayer of praise and sanctification recited by mourners as an expression of their faith and to elevate the souls of the deceased, recited daily when with a minyan.

Colel Chabad offers a personal Kaddish service. You can sponsor an individual to recite Kaddish for your loved one. It’s a great way to simultaneously fulfill the mitzvah of Kaddish and give tzedakah in the name of the deceased.

Is Yizkor the Same as Yahrzeit?

No, the two are often confused but serve different roles. Yahrzeit is the private, yearly anniversary of a loved one’s passing, marked individually with a 24-hour candle and, traditionally, a grave visit, on whatever date it falls that year. Yizkor is the communal memorial prayer recited together with the congregation, only on four fixed holidays, regardless of when any individual’s yahrzeit falls. Many people observe both: yahrzeit privately each year, and Yizkor publicly at the four holiday services.

When to Recite Yizkor Prayers

Originally, Yizkor was recited only on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which holds great significance for remembrance and introspection. Nowadays, we recite Yizkor four times a year during synagogue services on Yomim Tovim (Jewish holidays and festivals). These are: after the Torah reading on Yom Kippur, the last day of Pesach (Passover), the second day of Shavuot, and Shemini Atzeret.

Quick Reference: The Four Yizkor Occasions

Yom Kippur: after the Torah reading, the day’s main observance

Last day of Passover (Pesach)

Second day of Shavuot

Shemini Atzeret: end of the Sukkot holiday period

Can You Say Yizkor at Home?

Yizkor is traditionally recited in synagogue as part of the communal holiday service, but attending isn’t always possible. If you can’t get to shul, you have two options: appoint someone eligible (someone who has themselves lost a close relative) to recite it on your behalf, or say the prayer privately at home using the same text. Colel Chabad’s proxy service below is built for exactly this situation.

Who to Recite Yizkor For

You may recite Yizkor for anyone who’s passed, after their first yahrzeit. They can be parents, children, siblings, uncles, aunts, or friends. However, if you have both your own parents still living, it’s customary to leave the sanctuary during Yizkor out of respect for others who don’t.

Why Some People Leave During Yizkor

It’s customary for those whose parents are both still living to step outside the sanctuary during Yizkor, out of sensitivity toward those who are mourning. This isn’t a requirement so much as an act of communal respect. Some rabbis note that it can also be used as a quiet moment to reflect on other relatives, teachers, or, in recent generations, victims of the Holocaust, rather than simply waiting in the hallway. Practice varies by community, and many congregants today choose to stay and sit quietly instead.

How to Say Yizkor Prayers

If you remain in the sanctuary to recite Yizkor, you may repeat the paragraph for each additional person needing prayers. The text should change slightly to fit the person you’re reciting it for. When reciting the Yizkor prayer for your father, use the term aba mori, meaning “my father, my teacher,” or imi morati, meaning “my mother, my teacher.” When saying Yizkor for a brother, use achi for “my brother,” and achoti for “my sister,” etc.

The Yizkor Candle Tradition

It’s customary to light a 24-hour memorial candle before the holiday begins, timed to burn throughout the Yizkor service. The candle is a physical, visible echo of the soul it represents, a custom rooted in the verse “the soul of man is the lamp of G-d” (Proverbs 20:27). Many people light it at home before leaving for synagogue rather than during the service itself.

Words of the Yizkor Prayer

There are four parts to the Yizkor memorial service. First, a series of readings and prayers from sources such as Tehillim (Psalms). Then the memorial prayer El Maleh Rahamim (lit. G-d of Great Mercy) is chanted. Lastly, the prayer Av HaRachamim (lit. Father of Mercy) is recited as a memorial for all Jewish departed.

Here’s the English-translated text of the full Yizkor prayer.

When Praying for a Deceased Father, or Any Male, Say:

“May G‑d remember the soul of my father, my teacher (mention his Hebrew name and that of his mother) who has gone to his [supernal] world, because I will — without obligating myself with a vow — donate charity for his sake. In this merit, may his soul be bound up in the bond of life with the souls of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, and with the other righteous men and women who are in Gan Eden; and let us say, Amen.”

When Praying for a Deceased Mother, or Any Female, Say:

“May G‑d remember the soul of my mother, my teacher (mention her Hebrew name and that of her mother) who has gone to her [supernal] world, because I will – without obligating myself with a vow – donate charity for her sake. In this merit, may her soul be bound up in the bond of life with the souls of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, and with the other righteous men and women who are in Gan Eden; and let us say, Amen.”

Continue, for Both Males and Females:

“May the All-Merciful Father Who dwells in the supernal heights, in His profound compassion, remember with mercy the pious, the upright and the perfect ones, the holy communities who gave their lives for the sanctification of the Divine Name. They were beloved and pleasant in their lives, and [even] in their death were not parted [from Him]; they were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions to carry out the will of their Maker and the desire of their Creator.

May our G‑d remember them with favor together with the other righteous of the world, and avenge the spilled blood of His servants, as it is written in the Torah of Moses, the man of G‑d: O nations, sing the praises of His people, for He will avenge the blood of His servants, bring retribution upon His foes, and placate His land — His people. And by Your servants the Prophets it is written as follows: I will cleanse [the nations of their wrongdoings,] but for the [shedding of Jewish] blood I will not cleanse them; the Lord dwells in Zion.

“And in the Holy Writings it is said: Why should the nations say, “Where is their G‑d?” Let there be known among the nations, before our eyes, the retribution of the spilled blood of Your servants. And it is said: For the Avenger of bloodshed is mindful of them; He does not forget the cry of the downtrodden. Further it is said: He will render judgment upon the nations, and they will be filled with corpses; He will crush heads over a vast area. He will drink from the stream on the way; therefore [Israel] will hold its head high.”

Ask Someone to Say Yizkor for Your Loved One

If getting to synagogue for Yizkor services is difficult, you may appoint someone to recite it for you. The only requirement is that the person doing so on your behalf is also “eligible,” i.e. who has a close relative of their own who’s passed.

A wonderful way to do this is to sign up for a Yizkor proxy person through Colel Chabad. By doing so, you’ll simultaneously support our charitable activities in Israel. Just fill in the order form above, and we’ll assign someone to say Yizkor for your loved one at the prescribed occasions. Your donation is part and parcel of the verbal commitment made within the Yizkor prayer. This is how you directly connect with the mitzvah without reciting Yizkor yourself.

Colel Chabad has also offered Kaddish memorial prayer services since 1788. 100% of the proceeds from your donation for the service will be allocated towards Colel Chabad’s food and social welfare services.

Dedicating Funds to the Bereaved In Israel

We’d also like to mention another wonderful way to bring more light into the world to commemorate a loved one. When you lift up others who’ve lost people, you truly honor those souls. Colel Chabad has dedicated funds for caring for orphans and supporting widows in Israel. When you donate, you’re directly helping these people. Consider dedicating your tzedakah money to one of these worthy causes too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I say Yizkor at home?

Yizkor is traditionally recited in synagogue as part of communal holiday services, but if attending isn’t possible, you can appoint someone eligible to recite it on your behalf, or say the prayer privately at home using the same text.

What is the difference between Yizkor and Yahrzeit?

Yizkor is a communal memorial prayer recited in synagogue four times a year on specific holidays. Yahrzeit is the private, yearly anniversary of a loved one’s passing, observed individually with a candle and often a grave visit, regardless of the synagogue calendar.

When is Yizkor said?

Yizkor is recited four times a year: on Yom Kippur, the last day of Passover, the second day of Shavuot, and on Shemini Atzeret.

Why do some people leave the sanctuary during Yizkor?

It’s customary for those whose parents are both still living to step outside during Yizkor out of respect for those in mourning, though many today choose to stay and reflect on other relatives or sit quietly instead.

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