A Prayer Service in Thanksgiving for the military success of British over French Napoleonic forces, by Rabbi Moses Myers and David Levi (29 November 1798)

Contributor(s):

Aharon N. Varady (transcription), David Levi (translation), Moses Myers and Office of the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations

Shared on:

9 October 2025 under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 International copyleft license

Categories:

War, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Tags:

18th century C.E., 56th century A.M., British Empire, British Jewry, civic prayers, First French Empire, Horatio Nelson, King George Ⅲ, Napoleon Bonaparte, Napoleonic Wars, Prayers for leaders, United Kingdom in the Napoleonic Wars

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
סדר תפלה	The Order of Prayer
אחר תפלת המנחה יאמרו החזן והקהל פסוקים אלו:	After the Afternoon Prayer, the Reader and Congregation are to Chant the following verses.
ה׳ אהבתי מעון ביתך ומקום משכן כבודך׃ (תהלים כו:ח)	O Lord! I have loved the habitation of thine house, and the dwelling place of thy glory. (Psalms 26:8)
באו נשתחוה ונכרעה נברכה לפני ה׳ עושנו׃ (תהלים צה:ו)	Come, we will worship, bow down, and bend the knee before the Lord our maker. (Psalms 95:6)
הודו לה׳ קראו בשמו הודיעו בעמים עלילותיו׃ (תהלים קה:א, דברי הימים א׳ טז:ח)	O give thanks unto the Lord; call on his name; make known his deeds among the people. (Psalms 105:1, I Chronicles 16:8)
שירו לו זמרו לו שיחו בכל נפלאתיו׃ (תהלים קה:ב, דברי הימים א׳ טז:ט)	Sing, and chant hymns unto him: proclaim ye all his wondrous works. (Psalms 105:2, I Chronicles 16:9)
התהללו בשם קדשו ישמח לב מבקשי ה׳׃ (תהלים קה:ג, דברי הימים א׳ טז:י)	Glory in his holy name; let the heart of them rejoice who seek the Lord. (Psalms 105:3, I Chronicles 16:10)
ואח״כ יומרו החזן והקהל י״ז מזמורי תהלים אחת לאחת כמספר טוב להודות לה׳	After which, the Reader and Congreations are to chant seventeen Psalms, at different times, according to to the number it is good^[1] For the Hebrew word טוב Toḇ, (It is Good), is in number seventeen. to give thanks unto the Lord.
מזמור	[Psalms]
תהלים כ״א ה׳ בעזך ישמח מלך וכו״	Psalms 21. The king shall rejoice in thy strength, O Lord, &c.
תהלים כ״ג ה׳ רעי לא אחסר וכו׳	Psalms 23. the Lord is my shepherd, (or feedeth me) I shall not want &c.
תהלים ל״ג רננו צדיקים בה׳ וכו׳	Psalms 33. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous, &c.
תהלים מ״ה רהש לבי דבר טוב וכו׳	Psalms 45. Mine heart is devising a good matter, &c.
תהלים ס״ו הריעו לאלהים כל הארץ וכו׳	Psalms 66. Shout unto God all ye inhabitants of the earth, &c.
אח״כ יאמר דחזן הוראה זו בקול רם והקהל עמו בלחש	After which, the Reader says the following thanksgiving aloud, accompanied by the Congregation in a low voice.
היושב במרחכי מרום השוכן בשמי שמי קרם לך שמים אף לך ארץ תבל וישבי בה ואתה שיפט תבל בצדק ועמים במישרים עתה באנו אל היכל קדשך ביראתך שפתי רננות יהלל פינו ולשוננו תרנן צדקתך גם כל יושבי הארץ יזמרו לך ויודו לשמך על חסדך ועל אמתך אשר הגדלת לעשות עמנו ועל כל הטוב אשר נמלתנו׃	O thou who sittest in the wide extended heavens, who dwellest in the ancient heaven of heavens. The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: The world and all that dwell therein. And thou dost judge the world in righteousness, and the people in rectitude. We now are come to the temple of thine holiness, in reverence of thee. Our lips shall sing, our mouths shall utter praise, and our tongues shout forth thy righteousness. All the inhabitants of the earth shall also sing praise unto thee, and give thanks unto thy name; for thy loving kindness, and for thy word which thou hast magnified with us; and for all the good which thou hast bestowed upon us.
פסוקים	Then say the following verses.
לה׳ הישועה על עמך ברכתך סלה׃ (תהלים ג:ט)	Unto the Lord belongeth salvation; the blessing be on they people. Selah. (Psalms 3:9)
ה׳ צבאות עמנו משגב לנו אלהי יעקב סלה׃ (תהלים מו:ח, תהלים מו:יב)	The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge, Selah. (Psalms 46:8, Psalms 46:12)
ה׳ צבאות אשרי אדם בוטח בך׃ (תהלים פד:יג)	O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusteth in thee. (Psalms 84:13)
ברוך הגבר אשר יבטח בה׳ והיה ה׳ מבטחו׃ (ירמיה יז:ז)	Blessed is the man who trusteth in the Lord, and the object of whose confidence is the Lord. (Jeremiah 17:7)
יראי ה׳ בטחו בה׳ עזרם ומגינם הוא׃ (תהלים קטו:יא)	Ye who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord, he is your help and shield. (Psalms 115:11)
מזמור	[Psalms]
תהלים ע״ב לשלמה אלהים משפטיך למלך תן וצדקתך לבן מלך וכו׳׃	Psalms 72. Give Solomon the king the Judgements, O God! and thy righteousness unto the king’s son, &c.
תהלים ע״ה למנצה אל תשחת מזמור לאסף שיר וכו׳׃	Psalms 75. To the chief Musician, altaschith^[2] This properly denotes, “O destroy not.” ; A Psalm or song for Asaph, &c.
תהלים צ״א יושב בסתר עליון בצל שדי יתלונן וכו׳׃	Psalms 91. He who dwelleth in the secret place of the most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, &c.
תהלים צ״ה לכו נרננה לה׳ נריעה לצור ישענו וכו׳׃	Psalms 95. O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us shout unto the rock of our salvation, &c.
תהלים צ״ח שירו לה׳ שיר חדש כי נפלאות עשה וכו׳׃	Psalms 98. O Sing unto the Lord a new song, for he hath wrought marvellous things, &c.
הודאה	A THANKSGIVING.
ה׳ אלהי גדלת מאוד אין כמוך ואין אלהים זולתך בשבחות ובזמירות נקדמך לברך את שמך על כל האותות והמופתים אשר עשית לדרי אי בריטניא אשר אנחנו בקרבם וחוסים בצילם	Lord my God, thou art exceedingly great: there is none like unto thee; neither is there any other god besides thee. With praise and psalmody will we come into thy presence, to bless thy name, for all the signs and wonders, which thou hast wrought for the inhabitants of the island of Britain, amongst whom we dwell, and under whose shadow we take refuge:
כי הראיתני צרות רבות ורעות חרב ורעב שבי ובוזזי שלל שעברו על הרבה מדינות וערים הקרובים והרחוקים אשר סביבותינו מחמת המציק אשר בונן להשחית וכמעט אמר אויב אררף אשיג אחלק שלל ואין מידי מציל ומי בכל מלכי הארץ אשר הצילו את ארצם מידי אמנם עלינו	for many evil troubles hast thou shewn us, even the sword and famine, and captivity^[3] Those pretended republics that they have formed may very properly be termed captives. ; and the spoil of many cities and countries, both far and near unto us have become a prey, to the fury of the oppressor, who prepared himself to destroy them; so that the enemy had nearly said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil: for there is no one that can deliver out of my hand; and who is there among all the kings of the earth, that hath been able to deliver his country out of mine hand.
נברו חסדיך ורהמיך להושיענו להגין עלינו משונאינו ולהצילנו מכל צער ונזק שלא יבא בגבולינו	But, thy loving kindness and tender mercy hath been great towards us, to save us, and shield us from our enemies, and to deliver us from all trouble and danger, that it may not enter into our borders:
נתת ברכה על פני האדמה והשבעתנו מטובך חלב חטים וכל מיני תבואתינו ושפע ימים ינקתנו למען נתענג על רוב שלום השקט ובטח במדינתינו	Thou hast also given us a blessing on the face of the earth; and satisfied us with thy goodness, even the finest of wheat, and every species of fruit; that we might also suck the abundance of the sea: that we may delight ourselves as in abundant peace; perpetual quiet, and security in our land.
והאנשים כפויי טובה אשר דרך שלום לא ידעו ולא הכירו את יפיו וטובו וחשבו מהשבות ערומים למנוע הטוב והשלוה מארצינו וישימו דמי מלחמה בשלום ונתנו כחף סוררת להמרות עיני כבוד אדוננו המלך אשר מטובו חיינו	For those men are ungrateful and unthankful for every good: for they knew not the path of peace, neither did they perceive its beauty and goodness; but they formed crafty devices, in order to withold peace and tranquillity from our land; and shed the blood of war in peace: they also withdrew their shoulder,^[4] Heb. Gave a withdrawing shoulder. and rebelled in the glorious fight of our sovereign Lord the king; through whose goodness we live.
ואתה ה׳ מגן בעדינו הפרת עצת אויבינו וקלקלת מחשבתם הרעה אשר יזמו לעשות לנו והשבת עליהם את אונם ואדוננו המלך וממלכתו נקיים מדם אשר שופך בארצינו כי ידיהם לא שפכו את הדם ולמלך ולממלכתו יהיה שלום עד עולם אמן׃	But thou, O Lord, hast been a shield about us, thou didst bring the counsel of our enemies to nought; and didst prevent their evil imagination which they thought to do unto us: and didst bring down upon them their own iniquity. So that our sovereign Lord the king and his kingdom are guiltless of the blood that hath been spilled concerning our land; for their hands did not spill the blood; therefore may our king, and his kingdom, enjoy peace for ever and ever, Amen.
פסוקים	VERSES
מי ימלל גבורות ה׳ ישמיע כל תהלתו׃ (תהלים קו:ב)	Who can declare the mighty acts of the Lord? who can proclaim^[5] Heb. Caused to be heard. all his praise. (Psalms 106:2)
מה גדלו מעשיך ה׳ מאד עמקו מחשבתיך׃ (תהלים צב:ו)	How great, O Lord! are thy works! thy thoughts are exceeding profound. (Psalms 92:6)
הודיע ה׳ ישועתו לעיני הגוים גלה צדקתו׃ (תהלים צח:ב)	the Lord hath made known his salvation; his righteousness hath he publicly shewn in the sight of all the nations. (Psalms 98:2)
חי ה׳ וברוך צורי וירום אלהי ישעי׃ (תהלים יח:מז)	the Lord liveth, and blessed be my Rock: and may the God of my salvation be exalted. (Psalms 18:47)^[6] Cf. II Samuel 22:47
אורה ה׳ מאד בפי ובתוך רבים אהללנו׃ (תהלים קט:ל)	I will praise the Lord exceedingly with my mouth; yea, I will praise him in the midst of the multitude. (Psalms 109:30)
תהלים	Psalms
תהלים ק׳ מזמור לתודה וכו׳׃	Psalms 100. A Psalms of thanksgiving, &c.
תהלים ק״ז הודו לה׳ כי טוב וכו׳׃	Psalms 107. Praise ye the Lord, for he is good, &c.
תהלים קי״ז הללו את ה׳ כל גוים וכו׳׃	Psalms 117. Praise the Lord all ye nations.
תהלים קכ״ח אשרי כל ירא ה׳ וכו׳׃	Psalms 128. Happy is every one who feareth the Lord, &c.
תהלים קל״ח אודך בכל לבי וכו׳׃	Psalms 138. I will thank thee with my whole heart, &c.
הודאה	A THANKSGIVING.
פתחו לי שערי צדק אבא בם אודה יה תודה וקול וקול זמרה רון ועוז ותפארה אשירה לדר בנהורא המאזרני חיל למלחמה ומכריע קמינו תחתינו	Open the gates of righteousness for me; I will enter them, and will praise the Lord. With the voice of thanksgiving and psalmody, and glorious shouting, will I sing to him who dwelleth in the light: who girded us with strength unto battle; and subdued under us, those that rose up against us.
ואף גם זאת בהיות שר רב החובל נעלסין וצבא מחנהו תופסי משוט מלחים והובלים מאוניות אדוננו המלך בארץ נכריה ובדרך רחוקה ממצרים ועד הנה גם שם ראו מעשיה ונפלאותיו במצולה ובארץ רהב עוררת נצהך כבימי קדם אשר תחתיו שחהו עזרי רהב וכאז כן עתה דכאת כחלל רהב ובזרוע עזך פזרת אויבינו לכן קראתי לזאת רהב	And also when Rear Admiral Nelson with all the Officers and seamen of his Majesty’s fleet, were in a strange country, at a great distance, even as far as the borders of Egypt; they there beheld the wonderful works of the Lord in the deep; even in the land of Rahab,^[7] The ancient Egyptians were called Rahab, because of their pride; the term is therefore very properly applied to the French at present, on account of their insolent and haughty overbearing temper; at wishing to subdue every thing before them. didst thou awaken thy mighty strength, as in ancient days; when thou didst cast down and humble those that did help Rahab: even so hast thou done also now; for thou hast broken Rahab as in pieces as one that is slain: and with thy strong arm hast thou scattered our enemies; Wherefore (says the prophet) I have called her Rahab the inactive.
הם שבת ועל נהר נילוס כנף רננים נעלסה ועלה למעלה גדולה לנצח מבצרי אוניות שונאינו ומאתה היתה זאת להפריד בין הדבקים שהיו ספינות אויבינו קרובים זו לזו לעזרה	But at the border of the Nile, we, rejoiced as with the goodly wings of the peacock: and were highly exalted, by the victory over the mighty ships of our enemies: For this hath been from God, to enable us to make a division among the ships of our enemies, that seemed to be so strongly united, as to afford immediate assistance to each other.
ואתה ה׳ נחת בים דרך ובמים עזים נתיבה לאוניות מלכנו לבא בין צי אדיר של שונאינו ושלטו בהם כרצונם לנתוץ ולהאביד והרבה מהם נמסרו בידינו	But thou O Lord! didst make a way in the sea, and a path through the mighty waters, for the ships of our Sovereign Lord the king; so that they entered among the mighty ships of our enemies, and overthrew them according to their will, battering and destroying them; and capturing many of them.
וראו כל אפסי ארץ את ישועת אלהינו אז אמרו בגוים הגדיל ה׳ לעשות עם אלה הגדיל ה׳ לעשות עמנו היינו שמהים	Thus all the ends of the earth saw the salvation of our God. Then they said among the nations, the Lord hath wrought great things for them, the Lord hath wrought great things for us, for which we now rejoice.
הנה כי כן עלינו להודות להלל לרומם ולברך אה שמך ה׳ אלהינו על כל הטובה אשר עשית עמנו כי בעזך ישמח מלך ובישועתך יגיל עמו׃	It therefore is incumbent on us, to give thanks, praise, extol, and bless thy name, O Lord, our God; for all the good which thou hast done for us; for in thy strength the king shall rejoice; and in thy salvation shall his people be glad.
פסוקים	Then say the following verses.
שומע תפלה עדיך כל בשר יבאו׃ (תהלים סה:ג)	O thou who hearest prayer; all flesh shall come to address thee. (Psalms 65:3)
קוה קויתי ה׳ ויט אלי וישמע שועתי׃ (תהלים מ:ב)	I patiently waited for the Lord, and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. (Psalms 40:2)^[8] Cf. II Samuel 22:7
יחל ישראל אל ה׳ מעתה ועד עולם׃ (תהלים קלא:ג)	Let Israel hope in the Lord: from henceforth, and for evermore. (Psalms 131:3)
רוצה ה׳ את יראיו את המיחלים לחסדו׃ (תהלים קמז:יא)	the Lord taketh pleasure in those who fear him; in those who hope in his mercy. (Psalms 147:11)
מזמור	[Psalms]
תהלים קמ״ד לדוד ברוך ה׳ צורי וכו׳׃	Psalms 144. A Psalm of David. Blessed be the Lord who is my strength, &c.
תהלים ק״נ הללו אל בקדשו וכו׳׃	Psalms 150. Praise God in his sanctuary, &c.
הזן וקהל תפלה זו	Then the Reader and Congregation must say the following Prayer.
ה׳ אלהי הצבאות באנו לחלות פניך כאשר החלות להראות לנו את טובך ותגדל חסדך למסור אויבנו בידינו כן תוסיף להפליא חסדך ורחמיך עלינו	O Lord God of Hosts! we are come to beseech thy presence; and as thou hast begun to shew us thy goodness, and hast magnified thy tender mercy, by delivering our enemies into our hands; thus mayest continue to shew thy marvellous kindness and loving mercy unto us.
תעוז ידי אנשי מלהמתינו יתרום ימינם עושה חיל למלחמה ולא יתיצב איש בפניהם למען יכירו וידעו כל עמי הארץ כי ה׳ נלחם להם בצריהם	O strengthen the hands of our men of war; exalt their right hand; and grant them valour for war; that no man may be able to stand before them: that all the people of the earth may know, and understand, that the Lord fought for them against their enemies.
אכן טוב מזה אם שמוע תשמע בקול תחנוננו שלום תשפות לנו ולא ישא גוי אל גוי חרב ולא ילמדו עוד מלחמה ויקוים בנו מקרא שכתוב ונתתי שלום בארץ וחרב לא תעבר בארצכם (ויקרא כו:ו) ובשלום יחדיו אשכבה ואישן כי אתה ה׳ לבדד לבטח תושיבני׃	However, we rather beseech thee, to hearken to the voice of our suplication, and wilt ordain peace for us; so that nation shall not lift up spear against nation; neither shall they learn the art of war any more. And may that promise which is written, be accomplished, “And I will give peace in the earth; and no sword shall pass through your land,” (Leviticus 26:6) We may yet see peace together; when I will lay me down and sleep; for thou alone, O Lord! will make me dwell in safety.
אבינו שבשמים תן חיים ושלום ואריכת ימים טובים לאדוננו המלך ולזרעו ולביתו ולכסאו ולכל יועציו ולמנהיגיו וכל שרי צבאותיו וחיילותיו בין בים ובין ביבשה יגיעו אל מחוז חפצם בשלום. וישובו איש לביתו בשלום ובימיהם ובימינו ישמע קול מבשר על ההרים משמיע שלום מבשר טוב משמיע ישועה אומר לציון מלך אלהיך ה׳ עוז לעמו יתן ה׳ יברך את עמו בשלום אמן׃	Our Father, who art in heaven, give life and peace, and length of good days, to our sovereign Lord the King; to his seed and to his houshold, and his throne: his counsellors, his Generals and Admirals whether by sea or land; so that they may all reach thay desired haven in peace; and may they all return to their houses in peace. And in their days, and in ours may we hear the voice of him who bringeth good tidings on the mountains; who announceth peace! Of him, that announceth salvation! Of him, that sayeth unto Ẓion, thy God reigneth! the Lord will give strength unto his people: the Lord will bless his people with peace, Amen.
	The PRAYER for the ROYAL FAMILY.
הנותן תשועה למלכים וממשלה לנסיכים מלכותו מלכות כל עולמים הפוצה את דור עבדו מחרב רעה הנותן בים דרך ובמים עזים נתיבה הוא יברך וישמור וינצור ויעזור וירומם ויגדל וינשא למעלה את אדונני המלך GEORGE the Third ירום הודו Our most gracious Queen CHARLOTTE, His Royal Highness GEORGE Prince of Wales, and the Princess of Wales, וכל זרע המליכה	He that dispenseth salvation unto kings, and dominion unto princes; whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; who delivered his servant David from the destructive sword;^[9] Find 1 Chronicles 21:15 who maketh a way in the sea, and a path through the mighty waters;^[10] Isaiah 43:16, Psalms 77:20, and Nehemiah 9:11 — for the Israelites through the Sea of Reeds. Also find, more generally Habakkuk 3:15. he shall bless, preserve, guard, assist, exalt, and highly aggrandize our most gracious Sovereign Lord King GEORGE the Third, our most amiable Queen CHARLOTTE, his Royal Highness GEORGE Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, and all the ROYAL FAMILY:
מלך מלכי המלכים ברחמיו יחייהו וישמרהו ומכל צרה ויגון ונזק יצילהו וידבר עמים תחת רנליו ופיל שונאיו ימניו ובכל אשר יפנה יצליח	May the supreme King of kings, through his infinite mercy, grant them life, preserve and deliver them from all manner of trouble, sorrow, and danger: subdue the nations under the soles of his feet; cause the King’s enemies to fall before him, and grant him to reign prosperously.
מלך מלכי המלכיס ברחמיו יתן בלבו ובלב כל יועציו ושריו רחמנות לעשות טובות עמנו וגם כל ישראל	May the supreme King of kings, through his infinite mercy, inspire him and all his counsellors and nobles with benevolence towards us, and all Israel.
בימיו ובימינו תושע יהודה וישראל ישכון לבטח ובא לציון גואל וכן יהי רצון ונאמר אמן׃	In his days and in ours may Judah be saved, and Israel dwell in safety, and may the Redeemer come unto Ẓion, which God in his infinite mercy grant; and we will say, Amen.
	FINIS

This is a full transcription of a patriotic and civic prayer service offered on 29 November 1798 at the German Jews’ Synagogue in London, composed by chief Rabbi Moses Myers and translated into English by David Levi. The unique prayers by Rabbi Myers are openly anti-French and anti-Napoleonic in alignment with British sentiment in the war against the forces of Napoleon and thrilled with the naval defeat of Napoleonic forces at the Battle of the Nile in August of that year by rear admiral Horatio Nelson.

Source(s)

Notes

Notes
1	For the Hebrew word טוב Toḇ, (It is Good), is in number seventeen.
2	This properly denotes, “O destroy not.”
3	Those pretended republics that they have formed may very properly be termed captives.
4	Heb. Gave a withdrawing shoulder.
5	Heb. Caused to be heard.
6	Cf. II Samuel 22:47
7	The ancient Egyptians were called Rahab, because of their pride; the term is therefore very properly applied to the French at present, on account of their insolent and haughty overbearing temper; at wishing to subdue every thing before them.
8	Cf. II Samuel 22:7
9	Find 1 Chronicles 21:15
10	Isaiah 43:16, Psalms 77:20, and Nehemiah 9:11 — for the Israelites through the Sea of Reeds. Also find, more generally Habakkuk 3:15.

Aharon N. Varady (transcription)

Aharon Varady (M.A.J.Ed./JTSA Davidson) is a volunteer transcriber for the Open Siddur Project. If you find any mistakes in his transcriptions, please let him know. Shgiyot mi yavin; Ministarot naqeni שְׁגִיאוֹת מִי־יָבִין; מִנִּסְתָּרוֹת נַקֵּנִי "Who can know all one's flaws? From hidden errors, correct me" (Psalms 19:13). If you'd like to directly support his work, please consider donating via his Patreon account. (Varady also translates prayers and contributes his own original work besides serving as the primary shammes of the Open Siddur Project and its website, opensiddur.org.)

David Levi (translation)

David Levi (1742-1801), born in London, was a printer, author, pioneering Jewish translator, and scholar. A self-taught English Jew, he provided an educated defense of Judaism against its English detractors and published resources on Judaism to both Jews and Christians in English. Since the English Jewish community of the time knew little or no Hebrew, Levi translated the Sefaradi and Ashkenazi prayer books, and produced expositions and translations of much Jewish lore about ritual and practice. His texts were used by Jewish and Christian writers well into the 19th century.

Moses Myers

Rabbi Moses Myers (1759-1804), born in the Netherlands, was the rabbi of the New Synagogue (London) and Acting Chief Rabbi of Ashkenazi Jewry in Britain from 1792-1802.

Office of the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations

The Office of the Chief Rabbi is the institutional identity for the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth [UK]. Unlike in other European countries, individuals serving as the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations are not formally designated by an authoritative state or civic body. Rather, the "office" is occupied by the senior rabbi of the United Synagogue, the umbrella institution for its affiliated Orthodox and Ashkenazi synagogues in the United Kingdom. The position of Chief Rabbi in the UK grew out of an 18th century desire among British Jewry for a respected representative figure comparable to the Archbishop of Canterbury for Anglican Christians. Rabbi Aaron Hart (1670–1756), rabbi of the Great Synagogue in London since 1704, was thus regarded by the 1750s as the first of the British chief rabbis. Over the next century and as British Jewry continued to grow, by the tenure of Rabbi Nathan Marcus Adler (from 1845-1890) the communal leadership and halakhic authority of the position had become firmly established. When in 1870, the Great Synagogue joined with four other synagogues, and was formally recognized as the United Synagogue by an Act of Parliament, the Chief Rabbi was legally established as its head. The current chief rabbi of the UHC and senior rabbi of the United Synagogue is Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis. (The Office of the Chief Rabbi should not be mistaken for the London Beit Din, the Court of the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations.)

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Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, portrait by Lemuel Francis Abbott, 1799

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ויהי נעם אדני אלהינו עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננה עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננהו׃ (תהלים צ:יז) · "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)