Yahrzeit or Hilula – Day of Mourning or Day of Celebration

Many people have heard the term Yahrzeit and its close relative Yiskor. When a loved one passes to the next frame of existence (dies), we honor them by lighting a candle in thier memory usually on their death anniversary in the Jewish Calendar. This is called Yahrzeit. During our Holiday prayers we say a Prayer to honor all of the people who have ever died. This is called Yiskor.

Kabbalah teaches that the death of a righteous person (Tzadik or Tzadeket) is different. The term that is used is Hilula. Hilula translates as a Day of celebration. The Tzadik returns to his house (His Grave) on that day, as well as a few others days during the year.

The Tzadik who was a sharing caring individual during their lifetime also desires to help people now – after his transition to the other frame of existence. HaShem in his mercy set up the spiritual physical frames to allow this. The essence of the Tzadik called the Light of the person can be used by every human being to help fulfill their lacks in this physical world.

A metaphor to understand this  is the following: This means we can ask – pray through the Tzadik to request our lacks and needs. The Tzadik will add his request to fulfill our request and bring this prayer directly to the Creator.

The best time to ask this assistance from a Tzadik is when he is “home”. His Hilula; Rosh Chodesh; 15th Day of the Hebrew Months especially the positive months. The best method is to visit his gravesite and ask him directly within one  of your daily prayers. In America, there are very view recognized Tzadikim to visit. In Europe, there are many but usually in Poland and other Eastern European Countries. In Israel there are many organizations who arrange tours to the gravesites on these special days.

For those of us who are unable to physically visit a Tzadik the method of connection is to Light a 25 hour Candle as close to sundown on the day of his Hilula – Celebration Anniversary or if you prefer his Yahrzeit. There is no specific Blessing but it is good to mention the Name of the Tzadik you are entreating to assist you. This is done is a whisper but is definitely said not just thought about.

The  more one learns about or knows about the individual Tzadik, the more one is connected to that Tzadik and his/her Light. The more connection the more  effective is the request. Each day of Hilula on this blog we will give some information about the Tzadikim whoose Hilula is today for you to expand your connection. We recommend that you use this as a beginning and make additional effort to learn about the  person yourself. This is best done by reading his works of Torah or using our modern search engines to find additional information about the Tzadik or Tzadeket.