Mishnayot in memory of the deceased

Write the first name of the deceased in Hebrew letters, choose בן or בת and, if you wish, the name of the father or the mother. The page shows one mishnah, or one chapter, for each letter in order, then the mishnayot of נשמה. A letter that appears again is studied each time.

For the elevation of the soul (לעילוי נשמה) of a loved one who has passed away: during the shiva, at the end of the thirty days, during the year of mourning and above all on the yahrzeit, the anniversary of the passing.

The word משנה is written with the same letters as נשמה, the soul. Study done in memory of the deceased is a merit for the soul.

Mishnayot 4 to 7 of chapter 7 of tractate Mikvaot begin with נ, then ש, then מ, then ה: the letters of נשמה. They are studied after those of the name.

A final letter is studied like the ordinary letter: ך as כ, ם as מ, ן as נ, ף as פ and ץ as צ.

Ashkenazim use the father's name, Sephardim the mother's. Many study by the first name alone. If in doubt, ask your rabbi.

One mishnah per letter is the custom brought by the Gesher HaChaim. One chapter per letter follows a list of 22 chapters, used notably by Chabad. Choose according to your custom and the time you have.