Yahrzeit facts for kids

Yahrzeit (pronounced YAR-zite) is a special yearly time in Judaism when people remember a close family member who has passed away. The word "Yahrzeit" comes from Yiddish, which is a language related to German. It means "year" (yahr) and "time" (zeit).

During Yahrzeit, Jewish people do several things to honor their loved one. These often include thinking about the person, lighting a special memorial candle, saying particular prayers, giving money to charity, and visiting the person's grave.

When is Yahrzeit Observed?

The exact date for Yahrzeit is decided by the Hebrew calendar. This calendar is different from the regular calendar most people use, so the Yahrzeit date might change on the regular calendar each year.

How Do People Observe Yahrzeit?

There are several common ways Jewish people remember their family members on Yahrzeit:

• Lighting a Candle: A special candle, called a Yahrzeit candle, is lit. It burns for 24 hours as a symbol of the person's soul and memory.
• Saying Prayers: Special prayers are said, often in a synagogue (a Jewish house of worship). One important prayer is called the Kaddish.
• Giving to Charity: Many people give money to charity in the name of the person they are remembering. This is a way to do good deeds in their memory.
• Visiting the Grave: Some people visit the grave of their loved one. It's common to place a small stone on the headstone as a sign that they visited.

These traditions help families keep the memory of their loved ones alive and honor their lives.

Images for kids

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  Jewish funeral in Vilnius (1824), National Museum in Warsaw

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  De treurdagen ("The mourning days") by Jan Voerman, ca 1884

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  The grave of rabbi-singer Shlomo Carlebach in Jerusalem is piled with stones left by visitors.

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  Remembrance plaque in Tiel.

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  Yiskor for Herzl, by Boris Schatz.