Yahrzeit

[2] Use of the word to refer to a Jewish death anniversary dates to at least the 15th century, appearing in the writings of Shalom of Neustadt [he],[3] Isaac of Tyrnau,[4] and Moses Mintz.

[12] Other names for the commemoration include naḥalah (נחלה) in Hebrew, meldado and anyos in Ladino, and sāl (سال) in Judeo-Persian.

During the Talmudic era, it was common to observe the date of a father's or teacher's death by fasting, or by abstaining from consuming meat and wine.

[16] The modern practice of observing Yahrzeit for parents likely originated among the Jewish communities of medieval Germany, later being adopted by Sephardic Jews.

[4] Yahrzeit is typically observed on the anniversary according to the Hebrew calendar of the date of death of an immediate family member or outstanding individual.

[17] There are also exceptions when the date falls on Rosh Ḥodesh or in a leap year of the Hebrew calendar:[18] When commemorated by an immediate relative, the day is marked by two main practices: reciting the Mourner's Kaddish, and lighting the Yahrzeit candle, which is kept burning for twenty-four hours.

Other customs including being called up to the public reading of the Torah or reciting the Haftara on the preceding Shabbat,[5][19] and sponsoring a synagogue Kiddush in honour of the deceased.

[3][25] Some communities, especially Sephardim in the Land of Israel, were initially opposed to reciting the Mourner's Kaddish after the first eleven months following a death, contending that it would cast a negative light on the departed.