The Kaddish was originally a closing formula for study or prayer gatherings in which the greatness of God was exalted and the hope for the swift coming of the Messiah was expressed.
At a later time, the Kaddish was also recited by mourners, who found in it expressions and motifs of consolation and comfort.
The orphan who recites the Kaddish must know that this prayer acts as a public acknowledgement by the son of the merits of his father, who knew how to raise him in the observance of the rules of the Torah and the principles of Judaism. And the congregation's response "May His great name be blessed" (Yeè Shemè Rabbà Mevarach), will therefore take on a twofold meaning: it will be addressed not only to G-d, but also to the memory of the departed loved one.
The Kaddish, which requires a quorum of ten people (minyan) in order to be recited, remains the prayer in Jewish liturgy for the sanctification of G-d's Name. It is a prayer that, recited with love and reverence over the centuries, has always emphasised the Jewish people's desire to keep alive their characteristic and essential dialogue with G-d.
Transliterated text (Italian rite)
Itgadàl vitqadàsh shemè rabbà. Be’almà di verà khirutè, wejamlìkh malkhutè, bechajekhòn uwjomekhòn uvchajè dekhòl bèt Israèl, ba’agàla uvizmàn qarìv weimrù amèn.
Jehè shemè rabbà mevaràkh, le’alàm ul’almè ‘almaià itbaràkh.
Weishtabàkh, weitpaàr, weitromàm, weitnasè, weithadàr, weit’alèh weithallàl shemè dequdshà berìkh hù.
Le’èla le’èla mikòl birkhatà shiratà tushbechatà wenechamatà daamiràn be’almà weimrù amèn.
* [’Al Israel ve’al rabbanan ve’al talmideon ve’al kol talmidè talmideon deiatvin de’askin beoraità kadishtà di beatrà aden vedi bechol atar vaatar yeè làna ulon shelamà vechinà vechisdà
verachamè vechayè arichè umzonè revichè min kodam Elaàna marè shemaià vear’à veimrù. Amen.]
Jehè shelamà rabbà min shemaià wechajìm tovìm ‘alènu we’al kol Israèl weimrù amèn.
‘Osè shalòm bimromàv hù berachamàv ja’asè shalòm ‘alènu weal kol Israèl, amèn.
Translation
May His great name be magnified and sanctified in the world that He has created according to His will, may He establish His Kingdom during your life, your existence and that of the whole house of Israel, speedily and in the near future.
May His great name be blessed forever and ever. May the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, be praised, glorified, exalted, raised, magnified, celebrated and lauded. May He be above all blessing, song, praise and consolation that we utter in this world.
* [Upon Israel, and upon our Rabbis, and upon their disciples, and upon all the disciples of their disciples, who study the holy Torah, who are in this place and who are in any other place, may there be
for us and for you, peace and grace, and kindness and mercy, and long life and ample sustenance from before our G-d, Lord of heaven and earth, and say: Amen.]
May abundant peace from heaven and good life descend upon us and upon all Israel. May He who makes peace in His high places, in His infinite mercy, grant peace to us and to all Israel. And let us say: Amen*
This passage is added when the Kaddish is recited after reading a passage taken from the Talmud or Midrash.