The First American Jewish Thanksgiving Prayer

On October 3, 1789, President George Washington made a special proclamation and created the first Thanksgiving Day designated by the government of the United States of America.  

As we celebrate Thanksgiving today, I want to share with you the special prayer recited at Congregation Shearith Israel (also known as the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue) in New York City on November 26, 1789 on the occasion of the very first Thanksgiving Day. Shearith Israel is the oldest synagogue in North America. Founded in 1654, it was the only synagogue in New York City from 1654 until 1825.

May he that dispenseth salvation unto kings, and dominion unto princes; whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom … Bless, preserve, guard, assist, and supremely exalt to the highest degree, the President and Vice-President of the Union, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America; the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and People of this State represented in Senate and Assembly, with the Judges and Magistrates of this city; and all Kings and Potentates in alliance with these States.

May the Supreme King of Kings, through his infinite mercies, preserve them, and grant them life, and deliver them from all manner of trouble and danger … May the Supreme King of Kings, through his infinite mercies, impart his divine wisdom to the Rulers of these States, and grant them a spirit of just counsel, so that they may be enabled to support their determinations with wisdom and judgment; and may peace ever subsist between them and the Kings and Potentates in alliance with them; and establish to them a covenant of peace until time shall be no more, so that nation shall not lift up their sword against nation, neither shall they make war any more. Amen.

We beseech thee, O most gracious father and merciful King, to whom peace pertaineth, that thou wilt long cause us to enjoy a firm peace and tranquility; and as thou hast been pleased to establish us in peace, so spread over us they tabernacle of peace everlasting, and speedily effectuate, that among us may be heard “the voice of him who bringeth glad tidings,” announcing that “the redeemer cometh to Zion.” So be it thy will, and we will say Amen.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Jesus Was Not A Palestinian

Among the most pernicious aspects of Israel’s current war against Hamas has been the assault on truth, facts, and memory. As we have painfully learned, this brutal war is waged not only with military weapons, but also through an extensive disinformation campaign waged by Israel’s enemies, and their willing accomplices throughout the western world. We see this daily in irresponsible reporting in the media, the tolerance and even acceptance of antisemitic rhetoric and behavior on college campuses, and mouthed by politicians. We are told that Israel is a colonial enterprise, denying the 4000 year history of the Jewish people in the land of Israel. We were told that Arab and Muslim narratives regarding Israel must be accepted uncritically lest we be accused of racism and Islamophobia, while Jewish and Israeli narratives are subject to a level of scrutiny unparalleled in modern history. We are told regularly that Gaza is under Israeli occupation when the truth is that Israel withdrew
Read more

Jim Harbaugh Is No Hero

I’m not much of a college football fan. But I wanted to say something about the College Football Playoff championship game last Monday night, which saw the University of Michigan defeat Washington, 34-13. This tremendous victory was Michigan’s first national title since 1997. The Wolverines, as the Michigan football team is known, have a national following that numbers in the millions. They boast one of the premier sports programs in all of college sports. 38 former students are currently playing in the NFL.   The university has the largest stadium in the United States at 107,601seats, larger than any stadium used by an NFL team, and the third largest stadium in the world.   (By comparison, the largest NFL stadium, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford NJ can seat 82,500.) They have sold out every game except one for the past 48 years.   The team deserves praise for their hard work, efforts, and stunning progress on the field.   Yet the Wolverines are not exactly a rags to riches sto
Read more

Farewell, Cantor Weiss

After 26 years as Cantor of the JCCP/CBT, and having been named Cantor Emeritus at his retirement last June in recognition of his unique contributions to our synagogue, Cantor Sam and Raisy Weiss will leave the community and relocate to New York City next week.   Before they go, I would like to offer one last tribute. The role of a Cantor is a unique one. Sometimes that role is to be a teacher, other times a scholar or a mentor, all while striving to create an experience of communal prayer that is enriching to all. Whether it was through his beautiful davening , his training of hundreds of B’nai Mitzvah , the esteem he enjoys among his colleagues, or his mastery of the Jewish tradition, Cantor Weiss found ways to help us give expression to the voices in our own Jewish hearts. For 26 years in our congregation, he set high standards for himself, and for our congregation, always striving to find the right blend between the old and the new, between traditional nusach and melodies and
Read more