There is a custom that whenever the study of a section of the Oral Law is completed, a celebration known as a Siyum (the Hebrew word for 'Completion') is held. During the Siyum, selections from the texts that have been studied are read and a special form of the Kaddish prayer is said. Following this, those present partake of some refreshments, saying the appropriate blessings.

A traditional practice is to arrange to complete the study of a section of the Oral Law to coincide with the Yahrzeit date of a relative. On the Yahrzeit, friends and family gather together and participate in the Siyum, which is then dedicated to the memory of the deceased. The readings, prayers and blessings said during the Siyum are, thereby, looked upon as being in his or her merit. In mystical terms, the soul of the departed relative is considered to 'benefit' from the Siyum undertaken in their name and this is regarded as especially propitious each year on the Yahrzeit date.