- Siyum
A "siyum" (“completion”) means the completion of any unit of
Torah study, or book of theMishnah orTalmud inJudaism . A "siyum" is usually followed by a celebratory meal, or "seudat mitzvah ", a meal in honor of a "mitzvah ", or commandment. "Siyum" also refers to the celebration.An enduring custom is for the community to complete a unit of Torah or tractate(s) of Talmud during the 30 days following the death of a beloved one and hold a communal siyum thereafter, in tribute and honor of the memory of the deceased.
It has become customary for
synagogue s to arrange a "siyum" on the morning beforePassover to allow those fasting for "Ta’anit Bechorim" (Fast of the Firstborn ) to break their fast, taking advantage of the "halakhic" principle that prioritizesTorah study.A "siyum ha-sefer", meaning “completion of the book,” is also held as a ceremonial completion and dedication of a "
sefer Torah ", a handwritten copy of the Torah, the most importantJew ish ritual object, which is kept in the Ark of a synagogue.Usually, when an individual or a group conclude the study of any tractate of the
Talmud , or even of theMishnah , a "siyum" is celebrated. At the end of every volume of the Talmud a special "hadran" prayer is printed with a set order of prayers and a specialkaddish in honor of the completion of that volume, which Judaism considers to be an important achievement and a milestone worth celebrating.In the merit and honor of a deceased individual, it is customary to undertake Mishnah study with the goal of holding a "siyum".
Rabbi
Moshe Feinstein , based on the "Nemukei Yosef", the Ran (Rabbeinu Nissim), theRashbam , and the "Eliyah Rabbah", extends the concept of a "siyum" to include even a festive meal celebrating the completion of any mitzvah (commandment) that has taken a significant duration of time (such as a number of weeks or months).ee also
*
Seudat mitzvah
*Fast of the firstborn
*Talmud
*Mishnah
*Bereavement in Judaism References
*Eisenberg, R.L. "The JPS Guide to Jewish Traditions". The Jewish Publication Society, 2004
*Donin, H.H. "To be a Jew". Basic Books. 1991
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