Doomsday

Most cultures possess some form of death tradition. By death tradition, I include all deathbed rituals, after death ceremonies, beliefs, and traditional practices. A prominent example is the Last Rites of the Catholics, a deathbed ritual in which the dying is absolved if hers sins, clearing their path to Heaven. Another is the ancient Egyptian practice of mummification, by which the body of the dead is preserved for its repossession by the soul. Personally, I have memories of going to cemetery plots every few years and burning what amounts to Monopoly money with my great grandmother’s name on it and pouring rice wine over her grave, in hopes that it reaches her in the Chinese afterlife.

However, I have never heard of the Kaddish. For me, one of the most haunting scenes of Kushner’s “Angels In America” is Ethel Rosenberg possessing Louis, and saying this Aramaic mourning song over Roy Cohn’s dead body. A quick Google search produced a translation of the prayer, which is written in classical Old Testament style.

But Rosenberg added something extra to the Kaddish. The translation I found (obviously) did not include “You sonofabitch.” Her bit of improvisation broke the spell the recitation of the Kaddish wove. The Kaddish, as all are death rituals, is rarely done for the dead. What can harm or help those who have shaken off their mortal bonds and earthly aesthetics? Will rotting hurt those who can feel? Can wine sate those who no longer thirst?  Neither Ethel nor Louis is saying the Kaddish for Roy’s sake. Ethal is saying it for herself and Louis is saying it for Belize who, despite her disdain for the corrupt powerbroker, had pitied Roy. The Kaddish was for their sake.

Death rituals help people cope with death. Perhaps the idea of an afterlife, to which those in this world can contribute, soothes the soul.

KADDISH TRANSLITERATION
Yis’ga’dal v’yis’kadash sh’may ra’bbo, b’olmo dee’vro chir’usay v’yamlich malchu’say, b’chayaychon uv’yomay’chon uv’chayay d’chol bais Yisroel, ba’agolo u’viz’man koriv; v’imru Omein.
Y’hay shmay rabbo m’vorach l’olam ul’olmay olmayo.
Yisborach v’yishtabach v’yispoar v’yisromam v’yismasay, v’yishador v’yis’aleh v’yisalal, shmay d’kudsho, brich hu, l’aylo min kl birchoso v’sheeroso, tush’bechoso v’nechemoso, da,ameeran b’olmo; vimru Omein.
Y’hay shlomo rabbo min sh’mayo, v’chayim alaynu v’al kol Yisroel; v’imru Omein.
Oseh sholom bimromov, hu ya’aseh sholom olaynu, v’al kol yisroel; vimru Omein.

May the great Name of God be exalted and sanctified, throughout the world, which he has created according to his will. May his Kingship be established in your lifetime and in your days, and in the lifetime of the entire household of Israel, swiftly and in the near future; and say, Amen.
May his great name be blessed, forever and ever.
Blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, extolled, honored elevated and lauded be the Name of the holy one, Blessed is he- above and beyond any blessings and hymns, Praises and consolations which are uttered in the world; and say Amen. May there be abundant peace from Heaven, and life, upon us and upon all Israel; and say, Amen.