On the second day of Shavuot, May 23, the Yizkor memorial prayer will be recited for those whose souls have departed from the material world.
At the “Golden Rose” Central Synagogue, Yizkor will be recited on Saturday, May 23, at 11:30 AM.
Yizkor is recited only with a minyan after the Torah reading during the Shacharit prayer, only a few times a year – on Yom Kippur, on the last day of Pesach, on the second day of Shavuot, and on Shemini Atzeret. Those whose both parents are alive traditionally step out of the synagogue during this prayer.
It is best to recite the Yizkor prayer for departed relatives personally. However, if it is absolutely impossible to do so, one may entrust its recitation to a community representative or use special online services, such as filling out the online form prepared by the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine
However, it should be remembered that it is best for the souls of the departed when their relatives come to the synagogue themselves and recite the Yizkor prayer for them.
The Chabad.org website provides the following information about this prayer, which will help our readers prepare for the performance of this important and responsible ritual:
Yizkor (or Azkarat Neshamot), the memorial prayer for the deceased, is recited in synagogues four times a year after the Torah reading on holidays: on Yom Kippur, on Shemini Atzeret, on the last day of Pesach, and on the second day of Shavuot. The main observance is the one on Yom Kippur, since that day is a day of atonement for both the living and the dead.
The main part of the Yizkor prayer is a silent pledge to give charity after the holiday in honor of the deceased. By giving tzedakah, we physically perform a good deed in this material world – something the deceased themselves can no longer do. Nevertheless, when it is done by someone in their memory, their soul receives additional merit and spiritual elevation.
According to custom, during the recitation of Yizkor, those whose both parents are alive should step out of the synagogue sanctuary. Those who have lost a parent within the past year remain in the synagogue but do not recite Yizkor for that parent.
