Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rabbi Robert S. Widom on 17 February 1970

Contributor(s): Robert S. Widom and the Congressional Record of the United States of America

Shared on: 17 February 2024 under the Creative Commons Zero (CC 0) Universal license a Public Domain dedication

Categories: 🇺🇸 United States of America, Opening Prayers for Legislative Bodies

Tags: 20th century C.E., 58th century A.M., 91st Congress, English vernacular prayer, U.S. House of Representatives, Prayers of Guest Chaplains, תחינות teḥinot

Guest Chaplain: Rabbi Robert S. Widom, Temple Emanuel, Great Neck, New York
Date of Prayer: 17 February 1970
Sponsor: n/a

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Contribute a translation	Source (English)
	Lord of the universe, we ask Thee this day for fresh inspiration and new perspective.
	In a world haunted by the skeletons and ghosts of a shattering war past and present, and in the throes of fear of massive destructive forces held back only by a thin leash, we ask Thee for wisdom and knowledge that we may learn somehow to construct the essential foundation for an enduring peace.
	Make us to realize that lasting world peace requires the implementation of such positive elements as equality, security, and justice for every man everywhere.
	Bless our country that it may become more and more a stronghold of equality, security, and justice.
	Enlighten with Thy wisdom the President of our land, his counselors, advisers, and lawmakers, and all those who have accepted the trust and accompanying burdens of high office in order to make and keep our country secure and sound.
	Bless, O Lord, their efforts and the efforts of all who labor to advance the frontiers of mutual understanding here in our land and everywhere, who strive to push the walls of darkness back in the faith that it is Thou who art the giver of light. Amen.

This prayer of the guest chaplain was offered in the second month of the second session of the 91st US Congress. The source images of the prayer were copied by Howard Mortman and shared via his @CongressRabbi Twitter account. All credit to Howard Mortman for his research in digging up this prayer. Unfortunately, neither the source images nor his tweets provide an exact citation reference to the volume, issue, and page number of the Congressional Record in which the prayer was published. If you know, leave a comment, or contact us.

Source(s)

Prayer of the Guest Chaplain (Robert S. Widom, 17 February 1970)

. Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication . 1.0 . Universal .

“Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rabbi Robert S. Widom on 17 February 1970” is shared through the Open Siddur Project with a Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication 1.0 Universal license.

Robert S. Widom

Rabbi Dr. Robert S. Widom is Senior Rabbi of Temple Emanuel of Great Neck, New York. He received his undergraduate degree from New York University in history and philosophy. He was ordained at the New York school of the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, where he received an earned doctorate for his work in explicating a little-known area of Polish-Jewish history. He was invited to join the faculty of the School of Education of the Hebrew Union College, and taught history and philosophy. He currently serves on the Town of North Hempstead’s Board of Ethics, a position he has held since April 15, 1975. Several years ago, Rabbi Widom organized an association of faith partners composed of Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu and Muslim groups.

the Congressional Record of the United States of America

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress, published by the United States Government Printing Office and issued when Congress is in session. Indexes are issued approximately every two weeks. At the end of a session of Congress, the daily editions are compiled in bound volumes constituting the permanent edition. Statutory authorization for the Congressional Record is found in Chapter 9 of Title 44 of the United States Code. (wikipedia)

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Works of related interest:

Flag of the United States House of Representatives

Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rabbi Karl Applbaum on 26 February 1970

Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rabbi Robert Silvers on 17 April 2013

Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. Senate: Rabbi Saul Israel Wisemon on 28 May 1970

Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rabbi Jack M. Rosoff on 18 February 1969

Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. Senate: Rabbi Robert B. Slosberg on 2 April 1992

Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rabbi Bentzion Schaffran on 19 February 1974

Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rabbi Albert A. Goldman on 8 February 1972

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ויהי נעם אדני אלהינו עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננה עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננהו "May the pleasantness of אדֹני our elo’ah be upon us; may our handiwork be established for us — our handiwork, may it be established." –Psalms 90:17