This evening we discuss the only Yartzeit mentioned explicitly in the Torah, in our Parsha, the death of Aaron on the first day of Av. We discuss how we should observe this Yartzeit, and different ways Yartzeit is observed around the Jewish world. We then focus on what has become a universal practice on a Yartzeit, saying Kaddish. We explore the history of this evocative prayer, its different versions, what the experience of saying Kaddish for a loved one should do for us and for our loved one, and how this prayer, which does not mention death or mourning, has become the Mourner's Prayer.

Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship.

Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on:

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/adathyoutube

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/

Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha:

Apple Podcasts - https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches1

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches3

Stitcher: https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches4

Please contact Rabbi Whitman ([email protected]) with any questions for feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.