Jewish Kaddish

Name of the doxology recited, with congregational responses, at the close of the prayers in the
synagogue; originally, and now frequently, recited after Scripture readings and religious discourses in
schoolhouse or synagogue. It is, with the exception of the last clause, composed in Aramaic. The
following is the translation:
Magnified and sanctified [comp. Ezek. xxxviii. 23] be His Great Name in the world which He hath created
according to His will. May He establish His Kingdom [some add: may his salvation blossom and his
anointed near; this verse is not present in the Ashkenazi tradition, that of those descended from medieval
German Jews] during your life and during your days, and during the life of the whole household of Israel,
even speedily and in a near time! So say ye Amen. Response: Let His Great Name be blessed
forever and unto all eternity! Blessed, praised, and glorified, exalted, extolled, and honored, uplifted and
lauded, be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He! above all the blessings and hymns [benedictions
and psalms], the praises and consolations [the prophetic words], which are uttered in the world. So say ye
Amen. [the Half Kaddish ends here] May the prayers and supplications of all Israel be accepted by
their Father, who is in Heaven! So say ye Amen May there be abundant peace from Heaven and life
and plenty, salvation and consolation, redemption and healing, forgiveness and pardon, freedom and
safety for us and all Israel! So say ye Amen! (http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com under
Kaddish).
The earliest version of Kaddish dates back to the time of the Second Temple. This Kaddish is called the
Half Kaddish (http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/kaddish.html)