All You Need To Know About “Yushvo” Yahrtzeit / Memorial Meal

 

I. RECAP FROM LAST ARTICLE

In the last edition of the BJL, we discussed the custom of commemorating a yahrtzeit (anniversary of a death) with a meal, known as a “yushvo” that is steeped in the Bukharian Jewish tradition, and has its roots in earlier practices. Initially, it was customary to fast on a yahrtzeit, but as generations became weaker, alternative customs emerged.

In the early 20th century, Rav Avraham Aminov Tamudi recorded that wealthy individuals would host Torah scholars to study and recite kaddish on the yahrtzeit, followed by a meal called “night of yeshivah” or “yushvo.” However, he warned that if the meal became a frivolous feast, it could harm the deceased’s soul and alternatively suggested that the family contribute to charity. Other prominent rabbis, such as Rav Yehuda Fetaya and Rav Ben Tzion Mutzafi, emphasized the importance of accompanying the meal with Torah study, mussar, and kaddish to uplift the deceased’s soul, and cautioned against careless conversation that could cause harm.

 

II. LEARNING TORAH TO ELEVATE THE SOUL

There is a universal agreement amongst all poskim that Torah study is the greatest merit for the departed soul. When parents are alive, the children can honor them physically, however after they have passed, the offspring can only give them spiritual honor.

Rav Yosef Yuzpah Zeligman (Yosef Ometz pg. 331) writes that Torah study has a seven-fold greater impact on the soul than reciting kaddish.

The Chofetz Chaim (Shemirat Halashon vol. 2 end. 1, 2) conveys that it is very unfortunate that most people think that it suffices to simply attend prayers three times a day to recite the kaddish. The prime act that one can perform to benefit the soul of one’s parents is to engage in daily Torah study. Rav Yitzhak Yosef (Yalkut Yosef, Bikur Cholim Avelut pg. 480) concurs.

The main form of study that is encouraged throughout the generations, is learning mishnayot. Many Torah giants have left directives in their will for their children to dwell over the Mishnah on their behalf during the first year after their demise, as its text has the power to save the soul from (the punishment of) reincarnation (gilgul).¹ The Hebrew letters of “Mishnah,” משנה, and “neshamah,” נשמה, defined as soul, are the same. This implies that the merit of Mishnah study elevates the soul².

Rav Yitzhak Yosef³  also emphasizes that the main method to elevate a deceased’s soul is the holy practice of learning Torah and good deeds performed by their offspring. On the yahrtzeit, the son (if one exists) should be focus on learning Torah without interruption.

 

III. CONCLUSION

Professor A. Cooper of Boston University described⁴ a period of nearly 80 years under the repressive Soviet regime, when the “yushvo” memorial service became a crucial part of Jewish social and religious life. Even though the Soviet Union banned public displays of religion, the Jewish community continued to gather in private homes to practice their faith. These gatherings often appeared to be extended family get-togethers, but they were actually significant religious rituals. Prayer was eventually used as an effective means to teach the masses how to connect with Hashem and included religious lessons within the speeches that followed.

Now that we are past the Soviet oppression, it would be wise and beneficial for the soul of the deceased for the surviving family members to dedicate an entire evening of Torah study led by Torah scholars as conducted traditionally. Lavish meals that the wider community is accustomed to at restaurants or catering halls are only a maneuver to appease one’s neighbors and ultimately not appear cheap. These meals do very little to elevate the deceased. One clearly notices the lack of blessings on food, uncontrolled alcohol consumption, and a lack of attention to words of Torah presented by orators. Even more, the poetry recited at these events is solely a means of crowd entertainment!

Rav Yitzhak Zilberstein⁵ relates a question posed to the Chofetz Chaim by a family from Kletzk who debated the financial expense of burying a family member in Eretz Yisrael. The Chofetz Chaim ruled that it would be more beneficial to the deceased to use the funds for supporting Torah study, rather than transporting the meis to Israel for k’vurah.

Moreover, monies allocated for catered yushvo gatherings could benefit the deceased if spent more sensible.

Remember, the day of a yahrtzeit one of reflection, introspection, teshuvah, and learning Torah. These are the best tools in the arsenal of children to uplift the soul of the departed.

Excerpt from: Hillel Omer: A Journey Through Jewish Law and Minhag. Available on amazon.com. For any comments and questions, the author can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

¹ Rav Chaim Yosef David Azuali, the Chida, in Midbar Kedemot (Alef #51), Kuntres Hayechieli (Bet Olamim 15:20)

²  P’nei Baruch 39:13, note 25

³  Yalkut Yosef, Bikur Cholim Avelut, pg. 645

⁴  Bukharan Jews and the Dynamics of Global Judaism - 2012

⁵  Alenu LeShabeach Vol. II, pg. 537

 

 By Rabbi Nissan Shalomayev
Rav, Bukharian Jewish Cong. of Hillcrest, Kehilat Ohr V'Achdut