kedusha

Kedusha, meaning sanctification or holiness, is a term used in Jewish liturgy. It denotes a section of prayer that sanctifies God's name and elevates the mood of worship. The term kedusha comes from the Hebrew root k-d-sh, and is used both to refer to the concept of holiness and to a specific liturgical passage in the service.

In the standard Jewish liturgy, Kedusha is a central element of the repetition of the Amidah (the Shmoneh Esrei). During the chazzan's repetition, the congregation rises and proclaims a sequence of hymns praising God's holiness. The centerpiece begins with the threefold declaration "Kadosh, kadosh, kadosh" followed by the line "Baruch kevod malchuto le'olam va'ed" and additional verses or refrains that vary by rite. The moment is marked by heightened reverence, with many communities standing, and often bowing at certain phrases.

Practically, Kedusha exists in different forms across communities. The most widely known is the Kedusha of the Amidah, recited aloud by the congregation during the repetition. Ashkenazi and Sephardi rites share core elements but differ in wording and length, particularly on Shabbat and festivals, when the Kedusha portion is longer and more elaborate.

Beyond liturgy, kedusha also refers to the broader Jewish concept of the sanctification of God's name, a central theme in prayer and ritual life.