NBE Funeral Directing Practice Exam

In Jewish tradition, who predominantly recites the Kaddish?

1. A distant relatives of the deceased

2. Everyone attending the service

3. Direct mourners such as parents and children

4. The community leaders only

The correct answer is: Direct mourners such as parents and children

In Jewish tradition, the Kaddish, a prayer that exalts God and expresses the mourner's wish for peace, is predominantly recited by direct mourners such as parents, children, siblings, and spouses of the deceased. This special recitation serves as both a means of honoring the deceased and fulfilling mitzvahs (commandments) that relate to mourning and remembrance. Direct mourners are afforded this significant role during the mourning period, known as shiva, where the recitation of Kaddish takes on heightened emotional and spiritual importance. It symbolizes the mourner's connection to the deceased and their ongoing influence in the mourner’s life, allowing them to publicly affirm their memory in a communal setting. While others at the service, such as distant relatives or community members, may join in reciting prayers, the Kaddish itself is specifically designated for those closest to the deceased, reinforcing the bonds of family and the collective memory within the community. Community leaders might lead some prayers, but the personal nature of Kaddish emphasizes its recitation by the direct mourners, making this answer the most accurate in the context of the tradition.