Yahrzeit

or Jahr·zeit

[ yahr-tsahyt, yawr- ]

noun

, Judaism.

1. the anniversary of the death of a parent, sibling, child, or spouse, observed by lighting a memorial lamp or candle the night before and reciting the Kaddish at the evening service of the day before and at the morning and afternoon services of the day itself.

Yahrzeit

/ ˈjɔːtsaɪt /

noun

1. Judaism the anniversary of the death of a close relative, on which it is customary to kindle a light and recite the Kaddish and also, in some communities, to observe a fast

Word History and Origins

Origin of Yahrzeit¹

1850–55; < Yiddish yortsayt, equivalent to yor year + tsayt time ( tide ¹ ); compare Middle High German jārzīt anniversary

Word History and Origins

Origin of Yahrzeit¹

Yiddish, from Middle High German jārzīt anniversary; see year , tide ¹

Example Sentences

No family members sitting shiva, no yahrzeit candle to commemorate his death.

From Literature

There’s also “Sustain: From Loss to Renewal,” a new exhibition in response to the past year and a half, which has invited visitors to light a memorial yahrzeit candle or leave a stone at a gravesite to honor the memory of someone lost.

From Los Angeles Times

On April 13, she awakens to say the prayer and light a yahrzeit candle marking the one-year anniversary of her father’s death.

From Seattle Times

The extra yahrzeit candle seemed to tip the tray.

From Salon

Moving to the dining room, on a built-in wood console was a tray with little glass memorial yahrzeit candles for our many relatives who had passed.

From Salon