Hazzan´s Listening Lab

The kaddish serves as a separation between sections of the service: P’sukei D’zimra and Shaharit; Shaharit and the Torah Service; the Torah Service and Musaf. The music of the kaddish indicates the part of the service we are about to enter and helps set the mood.

The power of the music of the kaddish is even stronger during the High Holidays when there are melodies we only one time of the year. Below is a sample of melodies for the kaddish you will hear throughout the High Holidays.

1. Kaddish for High Holiday Musaf

This haunting yet powerful melody reminds us of the gravitas of the day. The French composer Maurice Ravel used this melody as the basis for his well-known piece: Kaddish.

2. Kaddish for Yom Kippur Musaf

One of two times we hear this melody during the year. The other time: Yom Kippur Katan.

3. Kaddish for N’ilah

This slow, contemplative melody reminds us that Yom Kippur is almost over. We appreciate that the fast is almost complete but so is our last chance to plead for forgiveness. The metered melody we sing throughout is reminiscent of a similar melody we sing during the kaddish before chanting Tal and Geshem.