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My sister she is a computer whiz. She married a Jewish fellow and her father-in-law asked her to help him get his prayer list together of all people at his synagogue who have died. She had to input dates of death and extra information for him.

So, not just Catholics pray for the dead. It is an Jewish custom dating back to the Torah.

So, not just Catholics pray for the dead. It is an Jewish custom dating back to the Torah.

Book of Maccabees. In the 16th c., Luther, reacting to serious abuses and clerical corruption in the Latin Church, to his own heretical theological vision removed those books from the canon that lent support to orthodox doctrine, relegating them to an appendix. Removed in this way were books that supported such things as prayers for the dead (Tobit 12:12; 2 Maccabees 12:39-45), Purgatory (Wisdom 3:1-7), intercession of dead saints (2 Maccabees 15:14), and intercession of angels as intermediaries (Tobit 12:12-15). Ultimately, the "Reformers" decided to ignore the canon determined by the Christian Councils of Hippo and Carthage (and reaffirmed and closed at the Council of Trent4), and resort solely to those texts determined to be canonical at the Council of Jamnia.

So, not just Catholics pray for the dead. It is an Jewish custom dating back to the Torah.

Jews say the Mourner's Kaddish, a beautiful prayer that glorifies God, for up to a year after the death of a parent, close relative, or for certain others. It is thought that a person is under divine judgment for twelve months and these prayers assist the ascension of their souls.


Glorified and sanctified be God's great name throughout the world
which He has created according to His will.

May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days,
and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon;
and say, Amen.

May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.

Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored,
adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He,
beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that
are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us
and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

He who creates peace in His celestial heights,
may He create peace for us and for all Israel;
and say, Amen.

Compare with Catholic tradition and the scripture The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.