Yahrzeit

American  

[yahr-tsahyt, yawr-] / ˈyɑr tsaɪt, ˈyɔr- /

Or Jahrzeit

noun

Judaism.

1. the anniversary of the death of a parent, sibling, child, or spouse, observed by lighting a memorial lamp or candle the night before and reciting the Kaddish at the evening service of the day before and at the morning and afternoon services of the day itself.

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Yahrzeit British  

/ ˈjɔːtsaɪt /

noun

1. Judaism the anniversary of the death of a close relative, on which it is customary to kindle a light and recite the Kaddish and also, in some communities, to observe a fast

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Etymology

Origin of Yahrzeit

1850–55; < Yiddish yortsayt, equivalent to yor year + tsayt time ( tide ¹ ); compare Middle High German jārzīt anniversary

Example Sentences

No family members sitting shiva, no yahrzeit candle to commemorate his death.

From Literature

There’s also “Sustain: From Loss to Renewal,” a new exhibition in response to the past year and a half, which has invited visitors to light a memorial yahrzeit candle or leave a stone at a gravesite to honor the memory of someone lost.

From Los Angeles Times

On April 13, she awakens to say the prayer and light a yahrzeit candle marking the one-year anniversary of her father’s death.

From Seattle Times

The extra yahrzeit candle seemed to tip the tray.

From Salon

Moving to the dining room, on a built-in wood console was a tray with little glass memorial yahrzeit candles for our many relatives who had passed.

From Salon