I remember and honor you with love and humility.
You taught me through words and deeds.
Forgive me, if I did not let that be known to you during your lifetime.
May my thoughts, words, and actions help your soul rise and soar.
I pray with all my heart that you continue to be deeply connected to all that has lived, is living, and will live.
Through this remembrance, may we all be aligned with God, God of our ancestors, and one another.
And let us say, Amen*
*There is no traditional prayer when lighting a yarzheit or yizkor candle. The simple prayer above was inspired by the study of the teachings of Rabbi Eliezer Papo regarding honoring our parents. I hope you can use it. Below is a closer interpretation of that prayer. We were especially struck by the fact that he included father-in-law, mother-in-law, etc., not often found in a prayer of remembrance like this. Our interpretation includes all who are close. Our dear ones.
Prayer for Yarzheit or other time of Memorial (unveiling, yizkor)
Written collaboratively by Rabbi Shalom Bochner, Rabbi Eli Cohen, Rabbi Chaya Gusfield
Inspired by the teachings found in Pele Yoetz. Pele Yoetz is a book of Jewish Musar literature (Ethics) first published in Constantinople in 1824 by Rabbi Eliezer Papo.
Our God, God of our ancestors, may I be aligned with You. May all the good deeds that I do, whether in thought, words, or action, be received by You with compassion and with favor. May all I do be for the merit, rest, and elevation of the life force, spirit, and soul of XXXX (insert name of father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law or any of those close who have gone before.). May it be Your will that XXX ‘s soul (any dear one’s soul) be deeply connected to all that has lived, is living, and will live, eternally bound in the bonds of all life.