Thanks. But the El Malei Rachamim: seems to be asking God for something, doesn't it?
Exalted, compassionate God, grant perfect peace in Your sheltering Presence, among the holy and the pure who shine with the splendor of the firmament, to the soul of our dear ______ who has gone to his eternal home. Master of mercy, remember all his worthy deeds in the land of the living. May his soul be bound up in the bond of life. May his memory always inspire us to attain dignity and holiness in life. May he rest in peace. And let us say: Amen.
Do you know, roughly, when this practice began? Was it extant at the time of Jesus?
That one does, yes, which is why I posted it as an example of an actual prayer for the dead.
Do you know, roughly, when this practice began? Was it extant at the time of Jesus?
Its been a long time since I read about this, so I'm not really sure. There were a lot of superstitions around in medieval times, but I'm not certain when this originated.