Yizcor Service

Yizkor: The Jewish Memorial Service

Jewish mourning is both private and public. When we visit a grave or observe a yahrzeit (anniversary of a person’s death), we generally do so in private. Yizkor is the public observance for the community of bereaved.

Yizkor means “may [G-d] remember,” from the Hebrew root zachor. It is recited four times a year in the synagogue: on Yom Kippur , Shemini Atzeret, the eighth day of Passover, and the second day of Shavuot. In Israel, it is recited on the combined Simchat Torah /Shemini Atzeret, the seventh day of Passover, and on the only day of Shavuot.

Originally, Yizkor was recited only on Yom Kippur. Its primary purpose was to honor the deceased by committing to giving tzedakah (charity) in their memory, on the theory that the good deeds of the survivors elevate the souls of the departed. It also enhanced the chances for personal atonement by doing a deed of lovingkindness. Since the Torah reading on the last day of the pilgrimage festivals (the holidays of Sukkot, Passover, and Shavuot) mentions the importance of donations, Yizkor was added to these holiday services as well.

It was the custom in medieval Germany for each community to read a list of its martyrs at the Yizkor service. The practice was eventually expanded to include the names of other members of the community who had died. Today, most synagogues publish lists of those who are remembered by congregants, which are distributed at the Yizkor services. In addition, the lights on all the memorial tablets in the synagogue are turned on.