Ashk. Heb. /kah"dish/ ; Seph. Heb. /kah deesh"/ , n. , pl. Kaddishim Ashk. Heb. /kah dish"im/ ; Seph. Heb. /kah dee sheem"/ . Judaism.
1. ( italics ) a liturgical prayer, consisting of three or six verses, recited at specified points during each of the three daily services and on certain other occasions.
2. ( italics ) Also called Mourner's Kaddish . the five-verse form of this prayer that is recited at specified points during each of the three daily services by one observing the mourning period of 11 months, beginning on the day of burial, for a deceased parent, sibling, child, or spouse, and by one observing the anniversary of such a death.
3. Kaddishim , persons who recite this prayer.
[ 1605-15; qaddish holy (one) ]