Ask the Rabbi - Customs and Practices

Prayer for a dead friend

Q: What is a proper prayer for the anniversary of the death of my friend?

Q: In a few weeks there will be a first anniversary of the death of my friend. What is a proper prayer for this occasion?

A: You may read the following Psalms:

Chapter 33: “Sing in joy, righteous ones, about G-d. For the upright, praise is fitting…”

Chapter 16: “A song of David: Protect me, G-d, for I have sought refuge with you…”

Chapter 91: “He who sits in the refuge of the Most High shall live in the shadow of the Almighty…”

This can be followed by the prayer, “El malei rachamim – G-d, who is full of mercy…” which appears in the Siddur.

Rabbi Oury Cherki

Rav Oury Cherki was born in Algeria in 1959 and grew up in France, and he made Aliyah in 1972. He studied at Merkaz Harav Yeshiva, which was founded by Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook. He performed his military service in the artillery branch of the IDF. He studied with Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook, Rav Yehuda Leon Ashkenazi (Manitou), Rav Shlomo Binyamin and Achlag. Rav Cherki heads the Israeli department of Machon Meir, and he is the Director of Brit Olam - the Noahide World Center. He teaches in many places throughout Israel. Rav Cherki is the spiritual leader of the "Beth Yehuda" community in Kiryat Moshe (Jerusalem). He has written many books on Jewish thought and philosophy.

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