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Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty

This is an archive of prayers composed for, or relevant to, demands for social justice, peace, and liberty.

Click here to contribute a prayer you have written, or a transcription and translation of a historical prayer.

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תפילת הדרך | Tefilat haDerekh, a traveler’s prayer for safety and peace (trans. Rabbi David Seidenberg, neohasid·org)

In this Tefilat haDerekh (the prayer for travel), I’ve made a synthesis of Ashkenazi and Sefardi nusaḥ. Even though the translation is pretty close to literal in most places, it comes across as an extraordinary and activist prayer for peace. So I think of this prayer not just as a prayer for the beginning a physical journey, but for any spiritual journey, and especially for any campaign or action for justice and peace that a person or group might undertake. When applied to activism, the “enmity and ambush and theft and predation” we ask to be rescued from could also be interpreted as hatred, deceit, jealousy, and aggression, i.e., the kinds of feelings that cause people to work against each other, even within an organization, instead of working together. I first used this version of the prayer at the beginning of a tour of Israel and Palestine focused on the human rights and non-violent resistance, when the group passed through the first checkpoint of the trip.

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תפילת הדרך tefilat haderekh, תחינות teḥinot

Contributor(s):

David Seidenberg (translation), Neohasid·org and Unknown

Der Arme | [Prayer of] the Pauper, a teḥinah by Yehoshua Heshil Miro (1829)

“Der Arme” was translated/adapted by Yehoshua Heshil Miro and published in his anthology of teḥinot, בית יעקב (Beit Yaaqov) Allgemeines Gebetbuch für gebildete Frauen mosaischer Religion. It first appears in the 1829 edition, תחנות Teḥinot ein Gebetbuch für gebildete Frauenzimmer mosaischer Religion as teḥinah №77 on pp. 117-119. In the 1835 edition, it appears as teḥinah №78 on pp. 141-144. In the 1842 edition, it appears as teḥinah №81 on pp. 146-149.

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Labor, Fulfillment, and Parnasah, Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty

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19th century C.E., 56th century A.M., German Jewry, German vernacular prayer, Jewish Women's Prayers, תחינות teḥinot, צדק צדק תרדוף tsedeq tsedeq tirdof

Contributor(s):

Andreas Rusterholz (transcription), Yehoshua Heshil Miro and Aharon N. Varady (translation)

How Beautiful It Is To See, a hymn on “Brotherly Love” by Penina Moïse (Ḳ.Ḳ. Beth Elohim 1842)

“How beautiful it is to see,” by Penina Moïse, published in 1842, appears under the subject “Brotherly Love” as Hymn 41 in Hymns Written for the Service of the Hebrew Congregation Beth Elohim, South Carolina (Penina Moïse et al., Ḳ.Ḳ. Beth Elohim, 1842), pp. 44-45.

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Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty, 🇺🇸 National Brotherhood Week

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19th century C.E., 57th century A.M., אחדות aḥdut (togetherness), English vernacular prayer, hymns, South Carolina

Contributor(s):

Ḳahal Ḳadosh Beth Elohim (Charleston, South Carolina), Penina Moïse and Aharon N. Varady (transcription)

Prayer of praise for Tsar Alexander II, emancipator of the serfs of the Russian Empire (HaMelitz, 1861)

This prayer of praise of Tsar Alexander II (1818-1881), for largely ending feudalism by emancipating the serfs of the Russian Empire was written by an unknown author and published in HaMelitz on Thursday, 28 March 1861.

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Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty, 🇷🇺 Russia

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19th century C.E., 57th century A.M., Emancipation, Prayers for leaders, Russian Empire, Tsar Alexander II

Contributor(s):

Unknown and Aharon N. Varady (transcription)

[Prayer] for the Persecuted, by Lilian Helen Montagu (1895)

“[Prayer] for the Persecuted” was written by Lilian Helen Montagu and published in Prayers for Jewish Working Girls (1895), pp. 31-32.

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Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty

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19th century C.E., 57th century A.M., English vernacular prayer, Jewish Women's Prayers, תחינות teḥinot, teḥinot in English, West Central Girls' Club

Contributor(s):

Lilian Helen Montagu and Aharon N. Varady (transcription)

Prayer on Behalf of the Religious Diversity of Humanity, by the Jewish Religious Union of London (1902)

This prayer for a pluralism respecting religious and philosophical differences, first appears in A Selection of Prayers, Psalms, and Other Scriptural Passages, and Hymns for Use at the Services of the Jewish Religious Union (1902), where it is №7 on page 6. (In the revised 1903 edition of the prayerbook, it is №20 on page 20.)

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Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty

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20th century C.E., 57th century A.M., אחדות aḥdut (togetherness), English vernacular prayer, pluralism, tolerance of difference, universalist prayers

Contributor(s):

Claude Montefiore, Morris David Joseph, Lilian Helen Montagu, the Jewish Religious Union of London and Aharon N. Varady (transcription)

Prayer for Peace, a paraliturgical adaptation of Sim Shalom in the Union Prayer Book, revised edition (CCAR 1918)

This blessing, entitled “Prayer for Peace,” was first published in The Union Prayerbook for Jewish Worship, revised edition, part Ⅰ (CCAR, 1918) on page 110. The blessing is the concluding prayer of the weekday and festival Amidah. Here, in this adapted formulation in English, it is combined with a blessing for “our country” (the United States of America). Rabbi Abraham Cronbach includes the prayer in The Jewish Peace Book for Home and School (1932) under “Section III: Peace Devotions for Jewish Use — Prayers for Peace” on page 100. We are not certain whether Rabbi Cronbach authored this prayer, although it is suggested by its inclusion here.

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Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty, Weekday Amidah

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American Jewry of the United States, עמידה amidah, English vernacular prayer, interwar period, Jewish pacifism, paraliturgical sim shalom, שים שלום sim shalom

Contributor(s):

Aharon N. Varady (transcription), Abraham Cronbach and Central Conference of American Rabbis [CCAR]

A Passover Prayer [for Jews in the United States], by Rabbi Norman Salit (ca. 1920s)

“A Passover Prayer” was written by Rabbi Norman Salit and published in Rabbi Jacob Bosniak’s לקוטי תפלות Liḳutei Tefilot: Pulpit and Public Prayers (1927), pp. 46-47.

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Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty, 7th Day of Pesaḥ

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20th century C.E., 57th century A.M., American Jewry of the United States, Americanism, bigotry, liberty

Contributor(s):

Norman Salit and Aharon N. Varady (transcription)

A Sukkot Prayer [for Jews in the United States], by Rabbi Norman Salit (ca. 1920s)

This untitled prayer was written by Rabbi Norman Salit and published in Rabbi Jacob Bosniak’s לקוטי תפלות Liḳutei Tefilot: Pulpit and Public Prayers (1927), pp. 35-36 (in the section titled “Prayers for Succoth”).

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Sukkot, Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty

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20th century C.E., 57th century A.M., American Jewry of the United States, Americanism, bigotry, liberty

Contributor(s):

Norman Salit and Aharon N. Varady (transcription)

תפלה להצלחת ועד השלום בװאשינגטון | Prayer for the Success of the Disarmament Conference at Washington, by Rabbi Joseph H. Hertz (Office of the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations, 12 November 1921)

This “Prayer for the Success of the Disarmament Conference at Washington [D.C.]” (12 November 1921) was prepared by the Office of the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Empire, Joseph Herman Hertz. The prayer was recited on Shabbat after the prayer for the British royal family.

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Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty

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20th century C.E., 57th century A.M., British Jewry, military, United Kingdom, Washington Naval Conference, World War Ⅰ

Contributor(s):

Joseph Herman Hertz, Office of the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations and Aharon N. Varady (transcription)

Ignorance and Evil, a prayer for progress in combatting social ills (CCAR 1923)

“Ignorance and Evil” is the thirteenth prayer found in ברכה ותהלה Blessing and Praise: A Book of Meditations and Prayers for Individual and Home Devotion (CCAR 1923), pp. 47-49.

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Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty

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20th century C.E., 57th century A.M., Aseret Yemei Tshuvah, education, English vernacular prayer, restorative justice, social justice, teḥinot in English

Contributor(s):

Aharon N. Varady (transcription), Unknown and Central Conference of American Rabbis [CCAR]

Conciliation, a prayer to yield amidst contention (CCAR 1923)

“Conciliation” is the fourteenth prayer found in ברכה ותהלה Blessing and Praise: A Book of Meditations and Prayers for Individual and Home Devotion (CCAR 1923), pp. 50-52.

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Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty

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20th century C.E., 57th century A.M., Aseret Yemei Tshuvah, English vernacular prayer, Jewish pacifism, non-violence, peace, teḥinot in English

Contributor(s):

Aharon N. Varady (transcription), Unknown and Central Conference of American Rabbis [CCAR]

Hospitality, an exhortation to recognize and transcend social class segregation (CCAR 1923)

“Hospitality” is the thirtieth prayer found in ברכה ותהלה Blessing and Praise: A Book of Meditations and Prayers for Individual and Home Devotion (CCAR 1923), pp. 102-104.

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Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty

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20th century C.E., 57th century A.M., English vernacular prayer, exhortation, hospitality, social class, social justice, teḥinot in English, תוכחות tokheḥot

Contributor(s):

Aharon N. Varady (transcription), Unknown and Central Conference of American Rabbis [CCAR]

Righteousness, an exhortation to pursue justice (CCAR 1923)

“Righteousness” is the twenty-ninth prayer found in ברכה ותהלה Blessing and Praise: A Book of Meditations and Prayers for Individual and Home Devotion (CCAR 1923), pp. 99-101.

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Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty

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20th century C.E., 57th century A.M., English vernacular prayer, exhortation, Justice, social justice, teḥinot in English, תוכחות tokheḥot, צדק צדק תרדוף tsedeq tsedeq tirdof

Contributor(s):

Aharon N. Varady (transcription), Unknown and Central Conference of American Rabbis [CCAR]

Vision and Hope, an exhortation for self-discipline while yearning for social progress (CCAR 1923)

“Vision and Hope” is the forty-second prayer found in ברכה ותהלה Blessing and Praise: A Book of Meditations and Prayers for Individual and Home Devotion (CCAR 1923), pp. 139-142.

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Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty

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20th century C.E., 57th century A.M., English vernacular prayer, exhortation, footsteps of Moshiaḥ, Messianic Age, progress, teḥinot in English, Universal Peace

Contributor(s):

Aharon N. Varady (transcription), Unknown and Central Conference of American Rabbis [CCAR]

Cooperation (CCAR 1923)

“Cooperation” is the forty-seventh prayer found in ברכה ותהלה Blessing and Praise: A Book of Meditations and Prayers for Individual and Home Devotion (CCAR 1923), pp. 155-157.

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Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty, Addenda

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20th century C.E., 57th century A.M., ecumenical prayers, English vernacular prayer, exhortation, interconnectedness, interdenominational cooperation, interfaith prayer, teḥinot in English, universalist prayers

Contributor(s):

Aharon N. Varady (transcription), Unknown and Central Conference of American Rabbis [CCAR]

Alike Before God (CCAR 1923)

“Alike Before God” is the forty-eighth prayer found in ברכה ותהלה Blessing and Praise: A Book of Meditations and Prayers for Individual and Home Devotion (CCAR 1923), pp. 158-160.

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Labor, Fulfillment, and Parnasah, Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty, 🌐 International Workers' Day (May 1st)

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20th century C.E., 57th century A.M., בצלם אלהים btselem Elohim, ecumenical prayers, English vernacular prayer, exhortation, interfaith prayer, teḥinot in English, universalist prayers

Contributor(s):

Aharon N. Varady (transcription), Unknown and Central Conference of American Rabbis [CCAR]

A Prayer for Peace and Goodwill Among the Nations of the Earth, by Rabbi Jonas Kaminkowski (1927)

A prayer for intra-national peace during the interwar period (after World War I).

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🇺🇳 United Nations, Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty, 🇺🇸 National Brotherhood Week, 🌐 United Nations Day (October 24th)

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20th century C.E., 57th century A.M., English vernacular prayer, League of Nations, World War Ⅰ

Contributor(s):

Jonas Kaminkowski and Aharon N. Varady (transcription)

שׁוֹבֵר אוֹיְבִים | Prayer for Our Enemies, by Rabbi Abraham Cronbach (1932)

This prayer, entitled “[Prayer for] Our Enemies,” was published in The Jewish Peace Book for Home and School (1932) under “Section Ⅲ: Peace Devotions for Jewish Use — Prayers for Peace” on pages 100-101. This prayer seems to me to be inspired by (or a reformulation of) the traditional twelfth blessing of the weekday Amidah, שׁוֹבֵר אוֹיְבִים וּמַכְנִיעַ זֵדִים shovér oyvim u-makhniya zedim (“who breaks enemies and overpowers evil ones”) a/k/a la-malshinim or al haminim.

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Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty, Weekday Amidah, Hateful Intolerance, Prejudice, and Bigotry

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English vernacular prayer, interwar period, Jewish pacifism, paraliturgical shover oyvim, שובר אויבים shover oyvim

Contributor(s):

Aharon N. Varady (transcription) and Abraham Cronbach

Invocation by Rabbi Ferdinand M. Isserman at the Republican National Convention (16 June 1932)

This is the invocation of Rabbi Ferdinand M. Isserman offered at the Republican National Convention in Chicago, Illinois on 16 June 1932, as found in The Washington Times, “The Rabbi Prayes for Nation’s Needy at Convention.”

Categories:

Social Justice, Peace, and Liberty, 🇺🇸 United States of America, Elections & Voting

Tags:

English vernacular prayer, Great Depression in the United States, Republican National Convention 1932, Republican National Conventions

Contributor(s):

Aharon N. Varady (transcription) and Ferdinand M. Isserman

Stable Link: https://opensiddur.org/index.php?cat=782

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"Stop Separating Immigrant Familes Press Conference and Rally Chicago Illinois 6-5-18 1934" (credit: Charles Edward Miller, license: CC BY-SA) -- cropped

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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)

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