tagged: George Washington • the Open Siddur Project ✍ פְּרוֺיֶקְט הַסִּדּוּר הַפָּתוּחַ

הַנּוֹתֵן תְּשׁוּעָה | Prayer for the Government of the United States of America, presented by Gershom Seixas on Thanksgiving Day 1789

Aharon N. Varady (transcription) — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 06:43:36 +0000

This “Prayer for the Government, etc. etc.” by K.K. Shearith Israel can be found in A Religious Discourse Delivered in the Synagogue in this City, on Thursday the 26th November, 1789. Agreeable to the Proclamation of the President of the United States of America, to be Observed as a Day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer. By the Reverend Mr. Gershom Seixas. The pamphlet explains that the special service was, “performed in the synagogue…conformable to a recommendation of Congress, passed the 3rd October last, to be observed as a day of public Thanksgiving and Prayer.” (Thank you to Robert Kaiser for bringing our attention to this pamphlet.) The Thanksgiving Proclamation of President George Washington to which this Prayer for the Government was adapted in response, was declared as follows:

Thanksgiving Proclamation
[New York, 3 October 1789]
By the President of the United States of America. a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor—and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be—That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks—for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation—for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war—for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed—for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted—for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions—to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually—to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed—to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord—To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us—and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

The order of services included the recitation of special psalms for the day. The order of the service, which must have also included Shaḥarit, is listed as follows:

Psalms 95:1-3
The entirety of Psalms 30, Psalms 33, Psalms 34, Psalms 46, Psalms 54, and Psalms 121
The “Discourse” (i.e., the sermon)
Psalms 124
A Prayer for the Rulers of the United States, etc. (i.e. the Prayer for the Government)
A Prayer for the Congregation, etc. (not included in the pamphlet)
Psalms 116, Psalms 117, Psalms 118, Psalms 138, and Psalms 67
“The conclusion of a Festival Morning Service, from Kol Israel to the end of Adon Olam.”
A Prayer, by the Ḥazzan.

Partial Reconstructed Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
הַנּוֺתֵן תְּשׁוּעָה לַמְּלָכִים וּמֶמְשָׁלָה לַנְּסִיכִים מַלְכוּתְךָ וּמֶמְשֶׁלְתְּךָ כָּל־עוֹלָמִים הַפּוֹצֶה אֶת דָּוִד עַבְדּוֹ מֵחֶרֶב רָעָה הַנּוֹתֵן בַּיַם דֶרֶךְ וּבְמַיִם עַזִּים נְתִיבָה	May he that dispenseth salvation unto Kings, and dominion unto princes; whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; that delivered his servant David from the destructive sword;^[1] Find 1 Chronicles 21:15. that maketh a way in the sea,^[2] i.e., for the Israelites through the Sea of Reeds. and a path through the mighty waters:^[3] again, for the Israelites, through the River Jordan.
הוּא יְבָרֵךְ וְיִשְׁמוֺר וְיַעֲזוֺר וִיגַדֵּל וִינַשֵּׂא לְמַֽעְלָה לְמַֽעְלָה	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, the 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.
הַמֶּלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְלָכִים בְּרַחֲמָיו יִשְׁמְרֶהוּ וִיחַיֵיהוּ וּמִכָּל צָרָה וָנֶזֶק יַצִילֵהוּ׃	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 he fix and establish them in their several departments in peace and tranquility. May the Supreme King of Kings implant among them amity, brotherly love and Peace. Let not their lips speak evil, nor their tongues utter deceit.^[4] Cf. Job 27:4
	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.^[5] Cf. Isaiah 2:4, Micah 4:3 Amen.
	Grant it thus, O Lord! for the sake of thy great and ineffable name and for the sake of thy people, and thine inheritance, who offereth up their supplications to thee whose seat is in heaven, invoking thee to hasten and let thy tender mercies anticipate our prayers, for we are greatly deficient and undeserving; incline thine ear and hearken, and do not despise our unworthiness nor our cry unto thee.
	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, to spread over us thy tabernacle of peace everlasting,^[6] from the Arvit (evening) Shabbat prayer השכיבנו (Hashkivenu) and speedily effectuate, that among us may be heard “the voice of him who bringeth glad tidings,”^[7] Isaiah 52:7. announcing that “the redeemer cometh to Ẓíōn.”^[8] Isaiah 59:20. So be it thy will, and we will say Amen.

Transcription, annotation, and partial Hebrew reconstruction of the Hebrew from which the English was derived was made by Aharon Varady from A Religious Discource Delivered in the Synagogue in this City by Gershom Seixas (Ḳ.Ḳ. Shearith Israel, 1789).

Source(s)

George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

Notes

Notes
1	Find 1 Chronicles 21:15.
2	i.e., for the Israelites through the Sea of Reeds.
3	again, for the Israelites, through the River Jordan.
4	Cf. Job 27:4
5	Cf. Isaiah 2:4, Micah 4:3
6	from the Arvit (evening) Shabbat prayer השכיבנו (Hashkivenu)
7	Isaiah 52:7.
8	Isaiah 59:20.

Prayer for the Government in honor of George Washington, First President of the United States of America by Ḳ.Ḳ. Beit Shalome (1789)

Abe Katz (translation) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:42:57 +0000

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
בְּקָראֵינוּ אֵלֶיךָ אֵל צֶדֶק עֲנֵינוּ הַקְשִׁיבָה לְקוֹל שַׁוְעָתֵינוּ וְחָנֵנוּ רַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וּשְׁמַע אֶל תְפִלָתֵינוּ כִי אַתָּה אֵל עֶלְיוֹן הִרחַבתָּ צָרָה מִמֶנוּ	When we call upon You, El Tsedek,^[1] Righteous God answer us, Listen to the sound of our cries and have mercy upon us, Comfort us and hearken to our prayers, For You are the supreme Master, You have distanced troubles from us.
אֵל חַנוּן הִצָלְתָּנוּ מִכָּל אוֹיְבֵנוּ מִמִתּקוֹמְמִים עָלֵינוּ אַתָּה פְּדִיתָּנוּ אַזַרתָּנוּ בְכֹח לִמְחוֹץ גֵאִוּת שׂנְאֵינוּ בְבוּשָׁה וּבִכלִימָה נָפלוּ תַחַת רַגלֵינוּ	El Ḥanun,^[2] Mericful God You have rescued us from all our enemies, From those who rose up against us, You have saved us, You provided us with strength to crush the conceit of our foes, In humiliation and in shame, they fell before our feet.
אֵל צְבָאוֹת נָתַתָּ שָׁלוֹם וְשַׁלוָה בְאַרְמְנוֹתֵינוּ וְאֶת the President of the United States נָתַתַּ לְרֹאשֵינוּ וּבִתְפִלָה אָנוּ מַכְנִעִים לְפָנֶיך אֶלֹהֵינוּ אֶל תַחֲנוּנֵינוּ תַּקשִׁיב וְתוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ	El Tseva’ot,^[3] God of [the Angelic] Hosts You have provided peace and quiet for the heart of our government; You have placed the President of the United States to act as our leader; Through prayer we humble ourselves before You, To our supplications lend an ear and rescue us.
שֵׂכֶל חָכמָה ותְבוּנָה תֵן בְלֵב רֹאשׁ מְדִינָתֵּנוּ יִשְׁפֹט אֹתָנוּ בְצֶדֶק יִשְׂמַח וְיָגִיל לִבֵּנוּ נְתִיבוֹת יְשָרִים הוּא יוֹלִיכֵנוּ גַם עַד שֵׂיבָה יִפקוֹד וְיִשְׁפֺּט בְתֺכֵנוּ	Common sense, knowledge and insight, bestow upon the head of our state, May he act justly towards us, gladden and bring joy to our hearts, May he lead us along an honorable path, Until his old age may he continue to act as leader and judge among us.
טָהוֹר וְיָשָׁר יִהְיֶה לֵב שָׂר וּפוקֵד עָלֵינוּ אֵל שַדַי יִשְׁמַע אֶל קוֹלֵינוּ וְיוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ נַאֲרִיך תְפִלָתֵנוּ לִפְנֵי אֵל גוֹאֲלֵינוּ הוא ישמור וינצור the Vice President, Senators, Representatives of the United States‏‎.‎‏	May those who govern over us do so with purity of heart and with honor, El Shaddai, listen to our voices and our calls, As we lay out our prayers before El Go’alenu,^[4] God our Redeemer Protect and shield the Vice President, Senators and Representatives of the United States.
יִתֵן שֵׂכֶל וּבִינָה לְכָל רָאשֵׁי מִשְׁפָטֵינוּ יְשָרִים וְנֶאֶמָנִים יִהְיֵ לְבָבֵי שָׂרֵינוּ יַצלִיח וִיִבָרֵךְ אֶת כָל מְדִינָתֵנוּ וּמִיַד בְנֵי נֵכָר יַצִילֵנוּ	Provide wisdom and sense to all who lead our court system, May the hearts of our leaders be just and trustworthy, Provide success and bless all of our nation, And from the hands of foreigners, protect us.
כִנְטֻעִים מְגֻדָלִים בִנְעוּרֵיהֶם יִהְי בָנֵנוּ כִזָיִוֹת יִהְיֶ וּבְנוֹתֵינוּ מְלֵאִים מְפִיקִים מִזָן אֶלזָן יִהְיֶ מְזָוֵינוּ מַאַלִיפוֹת מְרֻבָבוֹת בְחוּצֹתֵינוּ אַלוּפֵינוּ מְסוּבָלִים אֵין פֶרֶץ וְאֵין יוֹצֵץ בִרחוֹבוֹתֵינוּ	May our sons resemble young saplings that grow into strong trees, May our daughters develop like olive trees, May our land produce an abundance of food, By the thousands and by the tens of thousands, in our fields, May our livestock work hard; may they encounter no difficulties and may none be stolen from our streets.^[5] This line is taken from Psalms 144:14 “אַלּוּפֵ֗ינוּ מְֽסֻבָּ֫לִ֥ים אֵֽין־פֶּ֭רֶץ וְאֵ֣ין יֹוצֵ֑את וְאֵ֥ין צְ֝וָחָ֗ה בִּרְחֹבֹתֵֽינוּ׃” — May our oxen be heavy laden, so there should be no breach or migration! May there be no loud cry in our in our streets!
כָל אוֹהבי הַמְדִינָה וְשׁוֹפטֵיהֶם יְבָרֵך אֶלֹהֵינוּ וּתָנוּ כָבוֹד לה׳ אֵל גוֹאֲלֵינוּ תִּוָשַׁע יְהוּדָה וְיִשְרָאֵל יִשׁכוֹן לָבֶטַח וּבָּא לְצִיוֹן גוֹאֵל וְנֺאמַר אָמֵן	All those who love our country and its leaders, may they bless our elo’ah,^[6] our God May they extend honor to YHVH El Go’alenu May Judea be saved and Israel dwell in safety, and may the Redeemer come to Ẓíōn, And let us say: Amen.

The above prayer for the government, quite possibly the first prayer composed for the nascent government of the United States of America,^[7] An earlier prayer for the welfare of the 13 States, New York Governor George Clinton (1777-1795), and General George Washington was read after the revolutionary war ended at K.K. Shearith Israel in 1784. was written by Congregation Beth Shalome.^[8] Jews were already doing business in the Virginia Territory as early as 1650. By the 1760s they began to settle in Richmond and by 1790 Jewish residents numbered 100 citizens out of the 3700 citizens in the city. In 1789 a group of Jews established Kahal Kadosh Beth Shalome (The Holy Congregation, House of Peace), a Sepharadi congregation. It became the first congregation in Richmond and the sixth and westernmost Jewish congregation in the United States. in Richmond, Virginia in 1789. The original copy of this prayer is currently on display at the National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Much thanks to the museum for sharing a digital copy of the prayer for our transcription.) Please note the acrostic portion of the prayer in which the initial letters of the succeeding lines form the name: Washington.

Please visit Abe Katz’s excellent site, Beurei haTefila Institute, where he provides PDF sourcesheets of so many of his studies in tefillah. Abe Katz’s translation of this prayer was first included in his sourcesheet, “Prayers for George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.” I have digitally transcribed the text in Unicode Hebrew, proofread his translation, and corrected a few errors that appeared in his sourcesheet [–Aharon Varady].

Source

Prayer for the United States government and George Washington by K.K. Beth Shalome, Richmond, Virginia (1789) ("1979.10.1 b , The Richmond Prayer" Courtesy of The National Museum of Jewish History). Image provided has been gamma corrected for heightened contrast.

Notes

Notes
1	Righteous God
2	Mericful God
3	God of [the Angelic] Hosts
4	God our Redeemer
5	This line is taken from Psalms 144:14 “אַלּוּפֵ֗ינוּ מְֽסֻבָּ֫לִ֥ים אֵֽין־פֶּ֭רֶץ וְאֵ֣ין יֹוצֵ֑את וְאֵ֥ין צְ֝וָחָ֗ה בִּרְחֹבֹתֵֽינוּ׃” — May our oxen be heavy laden, so there should be no breach or migration! May there be no loud cry in our in our streets!
6	our God
7	An earlier prayer for the welfare of the 13 States, New York Governor George Clinton (1777-1795), and General George Washington was read after the revolutionary war ended at K.K. Shearith Israel in 1784.
8	Jews were already doing business in the Virginia Territory as early as 1650. By the 1760s they began to settle in Richmond and by 1790 Jewish residents numbered 100 citizens out of the 3700 citizens in the city. In 1789 a group of Jews established Kahal Kadosh Beth Shalome (The Holy Congregation, House of Peace), a Sepharadi congregation. It became the first congregation in Richmond and the sixth and westernmost Jewish congregation in the United States.

💬 מְגִלַּת וָשִׁעְתּוֹן | Megillat Washiŋton — a Purim Sheni scroll for 🇺🇸 Thanksgiving Day by Isaac Gantwerk Mayer (1790, 2018)

Isaac Gantwerk Mayer — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 00:05:40 +0000

In many Jewish communities around the world, there have been traditional scrolls read for “local Purims,” celebrating redemptions for a specific community. Here in America, we don’t really have an equivalent to that. But we do have Thanksgiving, a day heavily inspired by Biblical traditions of celebration, and one long associated with all that is good about America. Some Jewish communities have a tradition on Thanksgiving of reading Washington’s letter to the Jews of Newport, where he vows to support freedom of religion, famously writing that the United States “gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance” – thus rephrasing words originally written in a prior letter by Moses Seixas (say-shas), the sexton of the Touro Synagogue in Newport. This text includes the original English of both Moses Seixas’ letter to Washington and Washington’s return, as well as a somewhat simplified version of the story of Washington’s visit to Newport. Inspired largely by the style of the Book of Esther, it could be read on Thanksgiving morning during the service, using Esther melodies (or going on detours as per personal choice).

One important note: the name “Washington” has been consistently written here as וָשִׁעְתּוֹן, which in Modern Hebrew would be pronounced “Vashi’ton.” This was purposeful. In the traditional Spanish-Portuguese pronunciation of Hebrew that was used at the Touro Synagogue at the time, the letter ע would have been pronounced as a velar nasal – as in “singing.” Thus, the community’s own record of the name “Washington” would have used ע rather than a נג combination.^[1] Rabbi Stephen Belsky adds, “Although ngayin (velar nasal ע) was and remains a popular pronunciation in the Spanish-Portuguese world, the limited written evidence that remains from the original Jewish community of Newport indicates that they probably pronounced ‘ayin as a ‘silent letter’ instead.”

Notes on reading system codified here (but feel free to alter or shift it)

• Unmarked text is read with Esther melody.
• Text marked in violet is read with the Esther melody for the end of a chapter (in communities where said melody differs).
• Text marked in black is read with Eicha/Lamentations melody.
• Text marked in blue is read using a variation of the “introduction” or “greeting” melody, a niggun found in several locations in Esther. Some liberties may be taken for effect.
• Text marked in yellow is read using the “LaY’hudim Haytah” melody, since its words are key to the entire story.
• Text marked in green is read using melodic motifs from the Pilgrimage Festival services.
• Text marked in grey is read in a fast monotone, as one reads the list of the sons of Haman.

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
https://archive.org/download/MegillatWashingtonIsaacGantwerkMayer2018/Megilat%20Washington%20%28Isaac%20Gantwerk%20Mayer%202019%29.mp3	An audio recording of the cantillated reading
וַיְהִ֗י בִּימֵי֙ וָשִׁעְתּ֣וֹן הַנָּשִׂ֔יא עַ֛ל כׇּל־אַרְצ֥וֹת הַבְּרִ֖ית אֶ֥רֶץ אָמֶרִיקָֽה׃ ה֚וּא וָשִׁעְתּ֣וֹן הַמּוֹשֵׁ֔ל מִמַּסָטְשׁ֖וּסֶץ וְעַד־גְי֑וֹרְדְזִיָה שְׁלוֹשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה מְדִינָֽה׃ וַיְהִ֣י ׀ בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֗ם יִשׁ֣וּב יְהוּדִים֩ הָיָה֨ בְּעִ֤יר מָחוֹז֙ בְּשֵׁ֣ם נִי֔וּפּוֹרְט בִּמְדִינַ֖ת רוֹדַּֽילֶן׃ וְהִנֵּ֖ה הַיְּהוּדִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶה הָי֨וּ מִתְקַהֲלִ֤ים בְּבֵית־הַכְּנֶ֨סֶת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָהֶ֔ם וּשְׁמ֖וֹ בֵּית־טֽוּרוֹ׃	And it was in the days of President Washington of all the United States of America. The very Washington who governed from Massachusetts to Georgia, thirteen states. And it was, in those days, there was a settlement of Jews in the port city named Newport in the state of Rhode Island. And behold, these Jews were congregating in the synagogue that was theirs and it was called the House of Touro.
וַתְּהִ֖י מִלְחָמָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֑ה בֵּ֥ין בְּנֵי־אָמֶרִיקָ֖ה וּבֵ֥ין בְּנֵי־אַנְגְּלִיָּֽה׃ וַיּ֨וֹשַׁע הַקָּד֜וֹשׁ אֶת־וָּשִׁעְתּ֣וֹן הַנָּשִׂ֗יא מִיַּד֙ אַנְגְּלִיָּ֔ה וּמִיַּ֥ד מַלְכָּ֖הּ הַנֹּגֵ֑שׁ אֲשֶׁ֧ר נָגַ֛שׁ אֶת־כׇּל־בְּנֵ֥י אָמֶרִיקָ֖ה וְאֶת־כׇּל־הַיְּהוּדִֽים׃ וַיִּשְׂמְח֖וּ כׇּל־הַיְּהוּדִ֑ים בִּמְדִינ֛וֹת אַרְצ֥וֹת הַבְּרִ֖ית אֶ֥רֶץ אָמֶרִיקָֽה׃	And there was a great war between the Americans and the English. And the Holy One saved President Washington from the hand of England and from the hand of her destructive king, along with all the Americans and all the Jews. And all the Jews in the United States of America rejoiced.
וַיְהִ֞י אַחֲרֵ֣י ׀ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵלֶּ֗ה וַיִרְבּ֕וּ בִּלבּ֥וּל וַעִרבּ֖וּב בָּאָ֑רֶץ אַ֛ךְ תְּחִקּוֹת־חֹ֖פֶשׁ לֹ֥א נֶחְקָֽקוּ׃ וַיִּדְאֲג֥וּ הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים דְּאָגָ֣ה גְּדוֹלָ֑ה כִּי֩ לֹ֨א יָדְע֝וּ אִ֣ם יַעֲמֹ֗ד רֶ֤וַח וְהַצָּלָה֙ מִוָּשִׁעְתּ֣וֹן הַנָּשִׂ֔יא אוֹ־מִ֥ין־הַמֶּמְשָׁלָ֖ה הַמְּבוּלְבָּלָֽה׃	And it was, after these things, that much confusion and contention arose in the land, yet the laws of freedom had not yet been passed. And the Jews worried greatly, for they did not know if salvation and safety would arise from President Washington or from the confused government.
אִ֣ישׁ יְהוּדִ֔י הָיָ֥ה בְּנִי֖וּפּוֹרְט הָעִ֣יר הַמָּח֑וֹז וּשְׁמ֣וֹ ׀ מֹשֶֽׁה־סֵ֣יישַׁאס בֶּן־יִצְחָ֗ק אִ֧ישׁ מִלִּזְבּ֛וֹהַּ בַּמַעֲרָ֖ב אֶ֥רֶץ סְפָרַֽד׃ אֲשֶׁ֤ר הׇגְלָה֙ מִסְּפָרַ֔ד עִם־הַגֹּלָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הׇגְלְתָ֔ה עִם־כׇּל־הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֻגְל֑וּ עַ֣ל־יְדֵ֔י הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ הָרָ֖שַׁע שׁוּאָ֥אוּ־הַשְּׁלִישִֽׁי׃ וְה֕וּא הָיָ֥ה הַשַּׁמָ֖שׁ לְבֵ֣ית ט֑וּרוֹ בֵּ֥ית־הַכְּנֶ֛סֶת בְּעִ֥יר נִי֖וּפּוֹרְט בִּמְדִינַ֥ת רוֹדַּֽילֶן׃ וַתִּהְי֥וּ בְּשׂוֹר֖וֹת מִין־הַמֶּמְשָׁלָ֑ה כִּי־יְבַקֵּ֛ר וָּשִׁעְתּ֥וֹן הַנָּשִׂ֖יא בְּעִ֖יר נִיֽוּפּוֹרְט׃ וַיֶּחֶרְד֤וּ הַיְּהוּדִים֙ וְכׇל־בְּנֵ֣י־נִי֔וּפּוֹרְט חֲרָדָ֥ה גְּדֹלָ֖ה עַד־מְאֹ֑ד וַיֹּאמְרוּ֙ מַ֣ה נַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה בָּעֵ֖ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַגִּֽיעַ׃ כִּ֕י ה֛וּא אִ֥ישׁ חָזָ֖ק מֵא֑וֹד וְה֨וּא יוּכַ֤ל לְהִשְׁתַּלֵּט֙ וְלִשְׁלֹ֔ט בְּשִׁלְט֥וֹן שָׁ֖וְא אִם־רְצֹונֽוֹ׃ וַיֹּא֤מֶר מֹשֶׁה־סֵ֨יישַׁאס֙ אֶ֣ל־כׇּל־הָעַ֔ם בְּדִבְרֵ֥י נֶחָמָ֖ה וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הִנֵּ֣ה ׀ אָנֹכִ֣י אֶכְתֹּ֗ב מִכְתָּ֤ב אִגֶּ֨רֶת֙ אֵלָ֣יו לֵאמֹ֔ר קְרָא־נָ֣א דְּר֔וֹר בָּאָ֖רֶץ לְכָל־יֹשְׁבֶֽיהָ׃	A Jewish man was in Newport the port city and his name was Moses Seixas son of Isaac, from Lisbon in the west of Sepharad. He had been exiled from Sepharad with the exile that had been exiled with all the Jews who had been exiled by the hand of the evil king Joaõ III. And he was the sexton for the House of Touro, the synagogue in the city of Newport in the state of Rhode Island. And there was news from the government that President Washington was going to visit the city of Newport! And all the Jews and all the people of Newport trembled greatly to an extreme, and they said, “What will we do at the time when he comes? For he is a very powerful man, and he could take over and govern with a government of vanity if he wills!” And Moses Seixas spoke to all the people words of comfort, and said: “Behold, I will write a written letter to him, to say, ‘Proclaim liberty in the land to all its inhabitants.'”
וַיִּכְתֹּ֧ב מֹשֶׁה־סֵ֛יישַׁאס אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֥י הָאִגֶּ֖רֶת הַזֹּא֑ת לְמַ֥עַן כׇּל־הָעַ֖ם וַיֹאמְר֥וּ לֵאמֹֽר׃	And Moses Seixas wrote the words of this letter for the sake of all the people, and they said, saying:
בִּרְשׁוּתְךָ֣ אֲדוֹנִ֗י נִקְרְבָ֤ה בְּךָ֙ בְּנֵי־גֶ֣זַע אַבְרָהָ֔ם בֶּהַעֲרָכָ֧ה לְבָבִיָ֛ה וּבָחִבָּ֥ה גְדוֹלָ֖ה לְךָ֣ וּלְמִדּוֹתֶ֑יךָ נִדְבְּקָה֙ בְּרֵעֵ֣ינוּ הָאֶזְרָחִ֔ים בְּקַבָּלָתְךָ֖ בְּנִיֽוּפּוֹרְט׃ בְּשִׂמְחָ֗ה נִזְכָּרִים֙ בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֔ם יְמֵ֥י קוֹשִׁיָ֖ה וְסַכָּנָ֑ה יָמִים֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר הֵגֵ֤ן אֶת־רֹאשְׁךָ֙ בְּי֣וֹם מִלְחֶ֔מֶת אֶלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁר־הִצִּ֥יל אֶת־דָּוִ֖ד מְפִי־חָֽרֶב׃ וְעַתָ֣ה ׀ נִשְׂמַ֣ח לְהִתְחַשֵּׁ֗ב בְּר֕וּחַ אֲשֶׁ֧ר נִתְמַ֛ךְ עַל־חֵ֥יק דָנִיֵּ֖אל אִ֣ישׁ חֲמֻד֑וֹת וְיּוּכַ֛ל לִשְׁל֥וֹט עַל־כׇּל־מְדִינ֖וֹת מָלְכ֥וּת בָּבֶֽל׃ כֵּן֩ הָר֨וּחַ הָה֧וּא נִתְמַ֛ךְ וְיִתָּמֵ֥ךְ עָלֶ֖יךָ עַד־עוֹלָ֑ם וְתּוּכַ֣ל לְבַצֵּ֗עַ אֶ֤ת־כׇּל־הַתַּפְקִידִים֙ הַ֣מְּפָרֵכִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר עַל־שׁוֹפֶ֧ט הַשָּׁל֛וֹם הַגָּד֖וֹל בִּמְדִינ֥וֹת הָאֵֽלֶה׃ קֻפַּ֖חְנוּ מִתְּמ֣וֹל כְּמ֑וֹנוּ זִכְיוֹנ֣וֹת ׀ לֱאֶזְרָחִ֣ים חֹפְשִׁ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹ֖א יְסוּלֵ֥א בְּפָּֽז׃ וְ֠עַתָה בְּהַכָּרַ֨ת תּוֹדָ֧ה רָבָּ֛ה לְאֵ֥ל עֶלְי֖וֹן עוֹשֶׂ֣ה כׇּל־מַעֲשֶׂ֑ה אֲנַ֤חְנוּ רוֹאִים֙ מֶמְשָׁלָ֔ה נִבְנֵ֖ית עַל־ה֥וֹד הָעָֽם׃ מֶמְשָׁלָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר לְשִׂנְאָה֙ בַּל־נוֹתֵ֣ן חֹ֔ק וּלְמֻרְדָּ֖ף בַּל־נוֹתֵ֣ן עֶזְרָ֑ה אַ֚ךְ בִּנְדִיב֣וּת מַעֲנִיקָ֔ה לְכׇל־דְר֥וֹר מַצְפּ֖וּן וּזְכוּי֥וֹת אֶזְרָחֽוּת׃ וְקוֹרְאִ֗ים אֵת֩ כׇּל־אִ֨ישׁ וָאִ֝ישׁ בְּכׇל־עַ֤ם וּבְכׇל־לָשׁוֹן֙ וּבְכׇל־שָׂפָ֔ה חֲלָקִ֖ים שָׁוִ֑ים לְמַעֲרֶכֶ֥ת הַמְּשָׁלְתִ֖ית הַגְּדוֹלָֽה׃ הַהִתְאַחֲד֕וּת הַבְּרִיתִ֥י הַזֶּ֖ה הַגְּדוֹלָ֣ה וְהָעֲרוּכָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר בִּיסוֹדוֹ֙ גְמִיל֣וּת חֲסָדִ֔ים אֱמוּנָ֣ה הֲדָדִ֔ית וְי֖וֹשֶׁר עֲדָתִֽי׃ וּבְכֵ֕ן הֲל֥וֹא עַלֵ֖ינוּ לִקְרָאְת֑וֹ מַעֲשֶׂה֩ הָאֵ֨ל הַגָּד֜וֹל אֲשֶׁ֣ר מָלָ֗ךְ עַ֚ל כׇּל־צִבְא֣וֹת הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְעַל֙ כׇּל־יוֹשְׁבֵ֣י הָאָ֔רֶץ הָעוֹשֶׂ֖ה אֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־ט֥וֹב בְּעֵינָֽיו׃ לְפִי֩ כׇּל־הַבְּרָכ֨וֹת הָאֵ֜לֶה בְּרָכ֞וֹת דְר֣וֹר דָתִ֣י וְחִלוֹנִ֗י אֲשֶׁ֨ר מֵהֶ֜ן נֵהָנֶ֧ה תַחַ֛ת שִׁלְט֥וֹן שַׁפִּ֖יר וּמִשְׁתַּוֶּ֑ה אֲנַ֨חְנוּ רוֹצִ֜ים לְהַעֲל֤וֹת אֶת־הוֹדָאוֹתֵ֨ינוּ֙ לְעַתִּ֣יק הַיָּמִ֔ים הַשּׁוֹמֵ֥ר הָאָדִ֖יר כׇּל־אָדָֽם׃ וּלְבָ֣קֵּשׁ מִמֶּ֗נוּ כִּ֣י הַמַּלְאָךְ֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹלִ֤יךְ אֹתָנוּ֙ בְּמֶ֣שֶׁךְ הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר אֶל־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֖ר נִשְׁבַּ֥ע לָ֑נוּ ה֣וּא ׀ בְּרַחֲמָ֣יו יוֹלִיכְךָ֗ בְּמֶ֩שֶׁךְ֩ כׇּ֨ל־הַקּוֹשִׁי֧וֹת וְכׇל־הַסַכָּ֛נוֹת אֲשֶׁ֥ר חֶלְקֵ֖נוּ בָּעוֹלָ֥ם הַזֶּֽה׃ וּבַאֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ כְּמ֣וֹ יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ שְׂבַ֤ע יָמִים֙ וּשְׂבַ֣ע כָב֔וֹד תֵּאָסֵ֖ף אֶל־עַמֶ֑יךָ אֲשֶׁ֨ר תְּקֻבַּ֤ל בְּגָן־עֵדֶן֙ לִשְׁתּוֹת֙ מִמָּ֣יִם הָחַיִּ֔ים וְלֶאֱכ֖וֹל מֵעֵ֥ץ הָחַיִּֽים׃	Sir: Permit the children of the stock of Abraham to approach you with the most cordial affection and esteem for your person and merits — and to join with our fellow citizens in welcoming you to NewPort. With pleasure we reflect on those days — those days of difficulty, and danger, when the God of Israel, who delivered David from the peril of the sword, — shielded Your head in the day of battle: — and we rejoice to think, that the same Spirit, who rested in the Bosom of the greatly beloved Daniel enabling him to preside over the Provinces of the Babylonish Empire, rests and ever will rest, upon you, enabling you to discharge the arduous duties of Chief Magistrate in these States. Deprived as we heretofore have been of the invaluable rights of free Citizens, we now with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty disposer of all events behold a Government, erected by the Majesty of the People — a Government, which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance — but generously affording to all Liberty of conscience, and immunities of Citizenship: — deeming every one, of whatever Nation, tongue, or language equal parts of the great governmental Machine: — This so ample and extensive Federal Union whose basis is Philanthropy, Mutual confidence and Public Virtue, we cannot but acknowledge to be the work of the Great God, who ruleth in the Armies of Heaven, and among the Inhabitants of the Earth, doing whatever seemeth him good. For all these Blessings of civil and religious liberty which we enjoy under an equal and benign administration, we desire to send up our thanks to the Ancient of Days, the great preserver of Men — beseeching him, that the Angel who conducted our forefathers through the wilderness into the promised Land, may graciously conduct you through all the difficulties and dangers of this mortal life: — And, when, like Joshua full of days and full of honour, you are gathered to your Fathers, may you be admitted into the Heavenly Paradise to partake of the water of life, and the tree of immortality.
וַיִּכְתֹּ֣ב וַיַּחְתֹּ֣ם וַיִּשְׁלָח֩ מֹשֶׁה־סֵיישַׁ֨אס הַשַּׁמָ֜שׁ אֶת־הָאִגֶּ֣רֶת הַזֹּ֗את בָּחֹ֤דֶשׁ הַשִּׁשִׁי֙ הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ אֱל֔וּל‬ בְּי֥וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖י בּ֑וֹ לְמַ֕עַן קְהִלַּ֥ת הָעִבְרִ֖ים בְּנִיֽוּפּוֹרְט׃ וְהָעִיר֙ נִי֔וּפּוֹרט קִוּוּ֖ בֵּאלֹהֵ֥י אָבוֹתֵ֑ינוּ לִרְאוֹת֩ מַ֨ה יִכָּתֵ֧ב ל֛וֹ מִיַּ֥ד הַנָשִׂ֖יא וָשִׁעְתּֽוֹן׃	And Moses Seixas wrote and signed and sent this letter in the sixth month – that is, the month of Elul, on the seventh day therein, for the sake of the Hebrew Congregation of Newport. And the city of Newport hoped in the God of their Ancestors, to see what would be written from the hand of President Washington.
וַיְהִ֕י אַחָ֥ר שָׁלְח֖וּ אֶת־הָאִגֶּ֣רֶת הָהִ֑יא וַתָּבוֹא֙ אֳנִיָּ֔ה אֶל־מָח֖וֹז עִ֥יר נִיֽוּפּוֹרְט׃ וּבָ֗הּ דְּזִיֶפֶרְסֹ֤ן כְּלִינְתֹּן֙ בְּלֵ֣יר לַאוּתֶּנְסְמִ֔ית דְּזִיַ֥כְּסוֹן ה֖וּמְפְּרִיס וְנֶ֣לְסוֹן־הַקָּטָ֑ן שִׁבְעַ֞ת שָׂרֵ֣י ׀ אַרְצוֹת־הַבְּרִ֣ית אֶרֶץ־אָמֶרִיקָ֗ה וּבְתוֹכָ֕ם עָמָ֖ד הַנָּשִׂ֥יא וָשִׁעְתּֽוֹן׃ וַיִּתְהַלֵּ֛ךְ וָשִׁעְתּ֥וֹן הַנָּשִׂ֖יא בְּת֣וֹךְ הָעִ֑יר בָּחֹ֤דֶשׁ הַשִּׁשִׁי֙ הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ אֱל֔וּל‬ בְּי֥וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖י בּֽוֹ׃ וַיְהִ֣י ׀ בַּעֲל֣וֹת הַמִּנְחָ֗ה וַיִּגַּשׁ֩ וָשִׁעְתּ֨וֹן הַנָּשִׂ֜יא לְבֵ֤ית הַשִּׁלְטוֹן֙ בְּעִ֣יר נִי֔וּפּוֹרְט לִפְנֵ֖י כׇּל־בְּנֵי־נִי֑וּפּוֹרְט וַיַּ֥עֲשׂוּ־לוֹ֙ מִשְׁתֶּ֣ה גָּד֔וֹל וַיֹּאכְל֖וּ וַיִּשְׁתּֽוּ׃ וְהִנֵּ֗ה וָשִׁעְתּ֤וֹן הַנָּשִׂיא֙ בָּ֔א אֶל־בֵּית־הַכְּנֶ֖סֶת בֵּ֥ית ט֑וּרוֹ וַיִּפְגְּשֵׁ֣הוּ מֹשֶׁה־סֵ֗יישַׁאס וַיִּקְרָ֨א ל֧וֹ בְּדִבְרֵ֛י הָאִגֶּ֥רֶת הָהִ֖יא אֲשֶׁ֥ר כָּתַֽב׃ וַיְהִ֖י בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֑יא וְהַנָּשִׂיא֙ וָשִׁעְתּ֔וֹן שָׂמֵ֖חַ וְט֥וֹב לֵֽב׃ וַיְבָ֨רֶךְ֙ הַנָּשִׂ֣יא וָשִׁעְתּ֔וֹן אֶת־כׇּל־עִ֥יר נִי֖וּפּוֹרְט לֵאמֹ֑ר יְהִ֧י גָּד֛וֹל כְּב֥וֹד הָאַחֲר֖וֹן מִן־הָרִאשֽׁוֹן׃ וַיִּשְׂמְח֥וּ וַיָּשִׂ֖ישׂוּ כׇּל־בְּנֵי־נִי֑וּפּוֹרְט וְעֲדַ֨ת הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ בְּעִ֣יר נִי֗וּפּוֹרְט שָׂשׂ֤וּ יוֹתֵר֙ מֵהֶ֔ם כִּ֥י נָתַ֨ן לָהֶ֜ם הַקָּד֗וֹשׁ לְרֹאש֙ וְלֹ֣א לְזָנָ֔ב וַיִּהְי֥וּ לְמַ֖עְלָה וְלֹ֥א לְמָֽטָּה׃	And it was, once they had sent that letter, that a boat came to the port of Newport. And on it – Jefferson, Clinton, Blair, Loughton-Smith, Jackson, Humphreys, and Nelson Jr. – seven officials of the United States of America, and in their midst stood President Washington! And Washington walked through the city in the sixth month, that is, the month of Elul, on the seventh day therein. And it was, when the time for afternoon-prayers came, President Washington approached the government house of the city of Newport before all the people of Newport, and they made him a feast, and they ate and they drank. And behold, President Washington was coming to the synagogue, the House of Touro, and Moses Seixas met him and read to him the words of that letter he had written. And it was at that time that President Washington was happy and of a jolly heart. And President Washington blessed the whole city of Newport and said, “May the honor of the last be greater than the first!” And all the people of Newport rejoiced and were happy, and the congregation of the Jews that was in the city of Newport rejoiced even more, for the Holy One had made them the head and not the tail, and they were the top and not the bottom.
וַיְהִ֛י אַחֲרֵ֖י הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶה וַיָּ֤שׇׁב אִגֶּ֨רֶת֙ חֲדָשָׁ֔ה מִיַּ֥ד וָשִׁעְתּ֖וֹן הַנָּשִֽׂיא׃ וַיִּקָּ֣הֲל֔וּ כׇּל־עֲדַ֥ת הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּעִיר־נִי֑וּפּוֹרְט לְדֵעָ֖ה מַה־נִכְתַּ֥ב בָּֽהּ׃ וַיִּקַּ֥ח מֹשֶׁה־סֵ֖יישַׁאס אֶת־הַאִגֶּ֣רֶת הַזֹ֑את וַיִּקְרָ֣א אוֹתָ֔הּ בְּאׇזְנֵ֥י הָעָ֖ם לֵאמֹֽר׃	And it was after all these things that a new letter returned from the hand of President Washington. And the entire community of Jews in the city of Newport congregated to know what was written in it. And Moses Seixas took this letter and read it into the ears of the people, and said:
לִקְהִלַּת֙ הָעִבְרִ֔ים בְּנִי֖וּפּוֹרְט בִּמְדִינַ֣ת רוֹדַּ֑ילֶן בִּרְשׁוּתְכֶ֖ם רָבּוֹתַֽי׃ קִבַּ֣לְתִּי ׀ בְּרֹ֣ב שָׂ֗בָע אֶת־אִגְּרֶתְכֶ֧ם הַמָּלֵ֛א דִּבְרֵ֥י אַהֲבָ֖ה וּנְשִׂיא֣וּת פָנִ֑ים אַ֣ךְ ׀ שָׂמַ֗חְתִּי כִּ֣י בָ֣א לְיָדִי֮ לְהַבְטִיחֲכֶם֒ כִּ֥י זָכֹ֨ר אֶזְכֹּ֤ר בְּתוֹדָה֙ אֶת־הָהַכְנָסָ֣ה הַנְּעִימָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֧ר נִתְּנָה־לִ֛י מִכָּל־מִינֵ֥י אֶזְרָחִ֖ים בְּבִקּוּרִ֥י נִיוּפּֽוֹרְטָה׃ זְכִירַת֩ יְמֵ֨י קוֹשִׁיָ֤ה וְסַכָּנָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָבְר֔וּ נֶהֱפֶ֛כֶת לִהְי֖וֹת נְעִימָ֣ה יוֹתֵ֑ר מִדַּ֗עַת כִּי֩ יָק֨וּמוּ אַחֲרֵיהֶ֧ם יְמֵ֛י שָׂ֥בָע גָּד֖וֹל לִקְמָצִֽים׃ כִּ֣י ׀ נֶחְכַּ֗ם לַעֲשׂוֹת֙ לַמְּלָאכָ֣ה יְשָׁרָ֔ה אֵ֚ת כׇּל־הַבְּרָכ֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֖ר מְבֹרָכִ֣ים אֲנָ֑חְנוּ בְּשִׁלְט֤וֹן צֶ֨דֶק֙ לְמֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת חֶ֔סֶד לֹ֨א נִרְפֶּ֧ה לִהְי֛וֹת עָ֥ם גָּד֖וֹל וּמְרוֹמָֽם׃ יֵ֣שׁ מִ֠שְׁפָּ֠ט לְאֶזְרְחֵ֨י אַרְצ֧וֹת הַבְּרִ֛ית אֶ֥רֶץ אָמֶרִיקָ֖ה לְהִתְרַוֵּ֑עַ כִּי־נָתְנ֣וּ ׀ לִבְנֵ֣י אָדָ֗ם מִקְרֵ֤י שִׁלְטוֹן֙ גָד֣וֹל וְחׇפְשִׁ֔י הֲלֹ֥א שִׁלְט֛וֹן אֲשֶׁר־צֶ֖דֶק לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת כָּמֽוֹהוּ׃ לְכׇל־אִ֖ישׁ וָאִ֑ישׁ יֵ֛שׁ דְּר֥וֹר הַיֵּ֖צֶר וְצִלְלֵ֥י אֶזְרָחֽוּת׃ וְעַתָּ֗ה אֵ֥ין עוֹד֙ מְדֻבָּר֣וֹת רְצוֹנ֔וֹת‎ כְּמַתָּנָ֕ה מִמִּ֥ין אֱנ֖וֹשׁ אֶחָ֑ד כַּאַחֵר֙ מִתְעַנֵּ֔ג בַּעֲשׂ֛וֹת מִשְׁפְּטֵ֥י נַחֲלָתָ֖ם הַמִּבָּֽטֶן׃ כִּ֣י הִנֵּ֣ה בְּשִׂמְחָה֮ מֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת אַרְצ֣וֹת הַבְּרִית֒ אֲשֶׁ֤ר לְשִׂנְאָה֙ בַּל־נוֹתֵ֣ן חֹ֔ק וּלְמֻרְדָּ֖ף בַּל־נוֹתֵ֥ן עֶזְרָ֑ה רַק֩ הִשָּׁ֨מְרוּ לָכֶ֜ם כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ תַּ֣חַת כְּנָפָ֗יו וַעֲשִׂ֨יתֶם֙ כָּאֶזְרָחִ֣ים טוֹבִ֔ים כִּי֩ נָת֨וֹן תִּתֵּ֤ן לוֹ֙ בְּכׇל־עֵת֙ וּבְכׇל־שָׁעָ֔ה אֶת־חַסְדְּךָ֖ וְאֶת־אֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃ הִנְנִ֣י לְמַ֩עַן֩ פִּ֨י וְלִבִּ֜י שָׁוִ֗ים אֹמַ֤ר לָכֶם֙ כִּ֣י שָׂמַ֔חְתִּי בְּאוֹמְרִ֥ים לִ֖י אַתֶּ֑ם כִּי֩ ט֨וֹב בְּעֵינֵיכֶ֤ם שִׁלְטוֹנִי֙ וּבֵרַכְתֶּ֣ם אוֹתִ֔י וַהָיִ֖יתִי אַ֥ךְ שָׂמֵֽחַ׃ אַ֨ךְ יִצְדְּק֜וּ בְּנֵ֣י ׀ גֶּ֣זַע אַבְרָהָ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר גָּרִים֙ בָּאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּא֔ת וְנֶהֱנִ֥ים אֶת־שְׁל֖וֹם הַיּוֹשְׁבִ֣ים הָאַחֵרִ֑ים וְיָשְׁב֗וּ אִ֣ישׁ תַּ֧חַת גַּפְנ֛וֹ וְתַ֥חַת תְּאֵנָת֖וֹ וְאֵ֥ין מַחֲרִֽיד׃ אַ֨ב כׇּל־רַחֲמִ֜ים ה֥וּא יָפִ֛יץ א֥וֹר וְלֹא־חֹ֖שֶׁךְ בִּדְרָכֵ֑ינוּ וּלְכֻלָ֤נוּ בְּכׇל־עֲבוֹדוֹתֵינוּ֙ יַ֚עַשׂ לִמְלָאכָ֔ה וּבְזְמַנּ֤וֹ הַבָּא֙ וּבְדַּרְכּ֣וֹ הַה֔וּא לְשִׂמְחָ֣ה וּלְשָׂשׂ֔וֹן לְעוֹלָ֖ם וּלְעוֹלמֵ֥י עוֹלָמִֽים׃	To the Hebrew Congregation in Newport Rhode Island. Gentlemen, While I receive, with much satisfaction, your Address replete with expressions of affection and esteem; I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you, that I shall always retain a grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced in my visit to Newport, from all classes of Citizens. The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet, from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security. If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good Government, to become a great and happy people. The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support. It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my Administration, and fervent wishes for my felicity. May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig-tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.
כָּ֛לּוּ אִגֶּ֖רֶת וָשִׁעְתּ֥וֹן הַנָּשִֽׂיא׃	Thus ended the letter of President Washington.
וַיִּכְלוּ֙ כׇּל־עֲדַ֣ת הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּעִ֣יר נִי֑וּפּוֹרְט לִקְרוֹא֙ בָּאִגֶּ֣רֶת הָהִ֔יא וַיִּשְׂמְח֖וּ וַיָּגִֽילוּ׃ כִּ֠י הִנֶּ֤ה יָדְעוּ֙ כִּי־עֲדַ֣ת הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֧ר גָּ֛רוּ בְּאַרְצ֥וֹת הַבְּרִ֖ית אֶ֣רֶץ אָמֶרִיקָ֑ה הָי֨וּ שְׁמוּרִ֜ים תַּ֨חַת כַּנְפֵ֤י מֶמְשָׁלָה֙ אֲשֶׁר־יִשְׁמַ֣ע וְיַעֲשֶׂ֔ה לְק֥וֹל הָעָ֖ם לְע֥וֹלְמֵי־עַֽד׃	And all the community of the Jews in the city of Newport finished reading that letter, and were happy and rejoiced. For behold – they knew that the community of the Jews who dwelt in the United States of America would be protected under the wings of a government that would listen and obey the voice of the people for eternity.
וּמִיָּמִ֣ים יָמִ֔ימָה הָיְתָ֖ה דָּ֣ת חֲדָשָׁ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר כָּת֜וּב עַל־סֵ֣פֶר ׀ דִּבְרֵ֣י הַיָּמִ֗ים לִנְשִׂיאֵ֕י אַרְצ֥וֹת הַבְּרִ֖ית אֶ֥רֶץ אָמֶרִיקָֽה׃ לִהְי֨וֹת עוֹשִׂ֜ים אֵ֣ת ׀ י֣וֹם אֶחָ֗ד מִיְּמֵ֤י הַחֲמִישִׁי֙ בִּשְׁבוּע֔וֹת אַחַ֥ר הָאָסִ֖יף וְלִפְנֵ֣י הָחֹ֑רֶף לְהוֹד֛וֹת עַל־כׇּל־הַטּ֖וֹב אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתֽוּן׃ קִיְּמ֣וּ ׀ וְקִבְּל֣וּ ׀ יְהוּדֵ֣י אַרְצ֣וֹת הַבְּרִ֡ית ׀ אֶרֶ֣ץ אָמֶרִיקָה֩ עֲלֵיהֶ֨ם וְעַל־זַרְעָ֜ם וְעַ֗ל כׇּל־הַ֤נִּלְוִים֙ עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וְלֹ֖א יַעֲב֑וֹר לִהְי֣וֹת עֹשִׂ֗ים אֵ֨ת הַיּ֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ כִּכְתָ֣בוֹ וְכִזְמַ֔נּוֹ בְּכׇל־שָׁנָ֖ה וְשָׁנָֽה׃ וְהַיּ֣וֹם הַ֠זֶּ֠ה נִזְכָּ֨ר וְנַעֲשֶׂ֜ה בְּכׇל־דּ֣וֹר וָד֗וֹר מִשְׁפָּחָ֤ה וּמִשְׁפָּחָה֙ מְדִינָ֣ה וּמְדִינָ֔ה וְעִ֥יר וָעִ֖יר בְּאֶ֣רֶץ אָמֶרִיקָ֑ה וְי֞וֹם הָהוֹדָאָ֣ה הַזֶּ֗ה לֹ֨א יַעֲב֜וֹר מִתּוֹךְ֩ יְהוּדֵ֨י אַרְצ֤וֹת הַבְּרִית֙ אֶ֣רֶץ אָמֶרִיקָ֔ה וְזִכְר֖וֹ לֹא־יָס֥וּף מִזַּרְעָֽם׃	And much time passed, and there was a new law that was written in the book of the chronicles of the presidents of the United States of America. So be it, they would make one day out of the Thursdays of the weeks after the harvest and before the winter to give thanks for all the good that had been given. So the Jews of the United States of America established and received it upon them and upon their descendants and upon all who would join them, not to be passed, that so be it, they would make this one day as it is written and at its time, year after year. And this day is remembered and done in every generation and generation, family and family, state and state, and city and city in the land of America, and this very Day of Thanksgiving will not be passed from the midst of the Jews of the United States of America, and its memory will not end from their descendants.
נִשְׁלְמָ֞ה הַתַּרְגּ֣וּם ׀ וְהַמִּסְגֶּ֣רֶת הַאֵ֗לֶּה עַל־יְדֵ֨י יִצְחָ֤ק הַרְאֵל֙ בֶּן־אַבְרָהָ֣ם מֵאִ֔יר הַכֹּהֵ֕ן אִ֖ישׁ מִסַּ֣ן דִּיאֵֽגוֹ׃ בִּשְׁנָ֨ת תֵּ֤שַׁע וְשִׁבְעִים֙ וּשְׁבַ֣ע מֵא֔וֹת וַחֲמֵשֶׁ֥ת אֲלָפִ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה לְמִנְיָ֖ן בְרִיאָ֥ת הָעוֹלָֽם׃	These, this translation and this framework, were completed by Yitsḥaq Har’el ben Avraham Me’ir haKohen, a man of San Diego. In the year 5779 according to the count of the creation of the world.
בָּר֥וּךְ הַקָּד֖וֹשׁ מְלָמֵּ֣ד יָדִ֑י לְקָרֵ֨ב מְרוֹמֵ֝ם עַל־כׇּ֤ל בְּרָכָה֙ וּתְהִלָּ֔ה ׀ אָמֵ֥ן ׀ אָמֵ֖ן ׀ סֶּֽלָה׃	Blessed be the Holy One who taught my hand to bring close from on high all blessing and praise, amen, amen, selah.

Notes

Notes
1	Rabbi Stephen Belsky adds, “Although ngayin (velar nasal ע) was and remains a popular pronunciation in the Spanish-Portuguese world, the limited written evidence that remains from the original Jewish community of Newport indicates that they probably pronounced ‘ayin as a ‘silent letter’ instead.”

Prayer before the Tomb of George Washington at Mount Vernon by Rabbi Dr. Max Lilienthal (13 July 1876)

Aharon N. Varady (transcription) — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 00:59:32 +0000

Contribute a translation	Source (English)
	Brethren, it is an old Hebrew custom to visit the graves of illustrious dead, there to revive the sentiments of love and gratitude we owe to their memory, to take courage in the battle of life from the noble example they have set to us, and to promise on the sacred spot where they rest to continue the good work they have begun. For this purpose we have come here to pay homage to the memory of him who was great because he was good, and who was good because he was great.
	We repeat with the Bible, the memory of the good and just is a blessing forevermore. Though the dust returns to the dust whence it came, the spirit returns to God who gave it, there to receive the reward for a life devoted to the best interests of the whole human race. Of him who sleepeth here, says the prophet, “those who enlighten and instruct their fellow-men, by deed and by word, shall shine forever like the lustre of heaven.” (Daniel 12:3)
	Yes, the angel of immortality greets us here, and, pointing to heaven, admonishes us here to repeat the Hebrew prayer which in our temples and synagogues we recite when reminded of the dear and good ones who have gone before us, but left us a legacy of future blessing and harvests.
	[Here the Hebrew prayer was recited.]^[1] In the proceedings, “Here was said in Hebrew, קדיש all present joining in the responses with the utmost devotion and fervor.” The great name of God be exalted and sanctified in the world which He created according to His will. May His kingdom be established in your life, and in your days, in the life of the whole house of Israel, now and forever. His great name be glorified forever and aye. Render praise and benediction, glory and exaltation; speak of eminence and excellency, sing psalms and hymns to His hallowed name. Give praise to Him who is exalted high above all benedictions and hymns which are uttered in the world. May He the Lord of heaven and earth grant eternal peace and full participation of the bliss of eternal life, grace and mercy to George Washington, the father of our country, and to all his noble associates, and to all who parted this life in the blissful hope of a future life. Amen!
	And while thus in prayer and gratitude we honor the memory of him who sleeps in his grave let us not forget the sayings of our old teachers. We need not erect costly monuments to the memory of the great and good. Their actions are their proudest monuments, and any one who will honor him not with mere idle ceremonies shall try to walk on in the path of virtue and righteousness they have lined out for us.
	Coming up to this wise admonition, let us promise here on this sacred spot that we will live and work for the free country he and his immortal compeers have created for us, and in order that our intentions may be rewarded with success let us implore the divine assistance and paternal blessing of Him who heareth on high as the Ruler and Father of all Nations.
	Yes, all-merciful God, we approach the throne of the unfathomed majesty, and pray vouchsafe thy blessing unto these United States, our beloved home and fatherland. So far thy mercy has been with us, thy grace has not forsaken us, and thy spirit will not leave us forevermore.
	Grant in thy power and wisdom that our Union may be a union not only established by compact and law, but that it may be a union of brotherly love, of hands, and hearts, and sentiments, indeed.
	Grant in thy might and love that civil liberty, in the fullest and best sense of the word, may remain the inalienable treasure in the diadem of our land, and that we all may follow out the noble sentiment, that has become a national creed, with malice to none, with charity for all, with justice as God understands it. We will see justice and righteousness administered to all classes of our fellow-citizens.
	Grant in Thy goodness that religious liberty may flourish and prosper as heretofore; that toleration be vindicated, not only by the power and majesty of the law, but that it be the natural result of good-will, of that brotherly love and of that true religious sentiment which glories in the common fatherland of God and the common brotherhood of men.
	Bless him, the Chief Magistrate of our land, his counsellors, and the members of Congress. Give them Thy spirit that they all in their proper sphere may cooperate for the good of all; that justice, and liberty, and peace may forever be the supreme ruler of the land; that they may be the worthy successors of those who with their blood and treasure purchased for us the birthright of our freedom and independence.
	On Thee we rely; in Thy might and goodness we trust. Thou wilt watch over this land of promise, that year after year may add to its glory and prosperity; that centennial following centennial will display and exhibit new harvests of blessings and progress; and, unto Thee, Heavenly Father of all thy human children, we ascribe glory and honor forevermore. Amen.

This prayer of Rabbi Lilienthal was offered at a tree planting ceremony at the grave of George Washington attended by the delegates to the Council of Hebrew Congregations (the predecessor to the Union for Reformed Judaism) and published in the The Critic and Record, 13 July 1876, on the fourth page. The prayer was also re-printed in the Annual Report of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, Volume 1, “Appendix to Proceedings of Third Council,” pp. 273-275. The very same day, Rabbi Lilienthal had been invited to offer the opening prayer before the House of Representatives. While that prayer has yet to be located in a historical newspaper or other archive, we suspect that it may very well have been a variation of this same prayer.

Source(s)

The Critic and Record (13 July 1876), p. 4

Notes

Notes
1	In the proceedings, “Here was said in Hebrew, קדיש all present joining in the responses with the utmost devotion and fervor.”

Prayer on the Centennial of the Inauguration of George Washington, by Rabbi Yaakov Yosef (1889)

Yaakov Yosef — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 01:05:06 +0000

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
קולּ קורא	PROCLAMATION.
לאחינו בני ישראל בּארצות הברית באמעריקא.	TO OUR BRETHREN, THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:—
ביום ג׳ לחדש הזה (בר׳ לח׳ אפּריל) הוציא הפּרעזידענט בּנימין האַרריסאָן קול קורא לאזרחי ארצנו החוסים בצל ממשלת החופֿש והאור, ויודיע את יקרת החג אשר קדוש יהי׳ לכל עם האמעריקאני ביום ג׳ כ״ט ניסן (ל׳ לחודש אפריל) הבע״ל, כי ביום הזה תמלאינה מאה שנה למן או קבל עליו געאָרג װאַשינגטאָן משרת הנשיאות בארצות הברית בשבועת אֵמין, ויהי הפּרעזידענט הראשון לעם האמעריקאַני ולנס לממשלת הצדק והיושר לכל מין האנושי	On the 3d day of this month (April 4) Benjamin Harrison, the President of the United States, issued a proclamation to all the citizens of this land of freedom and enlightenment, urging them to celebrate Tuesday, the 20th day of the month of Nissan (April 30), as a feast of glory and rejoicing, for on that day a hundred years will be completed since the first President of the United States, George Washington of blessed memory, was installed in office as the administrator of the laws of justice and righteousness that rule this nation.
והנה כעברים מאמינים בדברי חוזינו וחכמינו ז״ל הלא עלינו המצוה להתפלל בשלומה של מלכות בכל מקום אשר אנחנו חיים שם, כאשר צוה ירמיהו על אבותינו (ירמי׳ כט:ז) וכאשר צוו עלינו חכמינו ז״ל בכל העתים וככל המקומות. ואף כי כאזרחי הארץ המבורכה הזאת החוסים תחת כנפֿי החקים הטובים והמשפּטים הישרים אשר עשו מחוקקי עם האמע. ריקאני ובתוכם נשיאנו הראשון געאָרג װאַשינגטאָן, ואשר הביאו לנו פּרות וגאולה— הלא מחויבים אנחנו ביתר שאת לשמוח בכל אשר ישמחו יתר אזרחי הארץ הזאת ולהוקיר זכרון האיש הנעלה מרבבה לנשיא הראשון בארצות הברית זה כמאה שנה.	As Jews it is our religious duty to pray for the weal of the government wherever we are settled, as the Prophet Jeremiah enjoined upon our ancestors (Jeremiah, 29:7), and as our rabbis have repeatedly urged us to do. But by far more is it our solemn duty and joyful privilege, as citizens of the United States, to take part in the national celebrations of the people of this glorious land for the freedom of conscience and the equality before the law which the constitution of the United States guarantees to us. We should dearly cherish the memory of George Washington, who was one of the framers of that constitution, and was installed as Executive of the nation under its provisions on the above date one hundred years ago.
הבה יתירה נורעת לנו כי המחוקקים אשר יסדו תקנות ארצות הברית (ובתוכם געאָרג װאַשינגטאָן, הנשיא הראשון) הכירו לטוב את תורתינו הקדושה, וישימו חקיה ומשפטיה אשר עליהם יחיה האדם, לראש פֿינתם, כמו: „כְּאֶזְרָ֣ח מִכֶּם֩ יִהְיֶ֨ה לָכֶ֜ם הַגֵּ֣ר ׀ הַגָּ֣ר אִתְּכֶ֗ם וְאָהַבְתָּ֥ לוֹ֙ כָּמ֔וֹךָ” (ויקרא יט:לד חלק) „וַאֲהַבְתֶּ֖ם אֶת־הַגֵּ֑ר” (דברים י:יט חלק) ועוד הרבא כמו אלה.	That national constitution, in which we glory as citizens of the United States, should be doubly dear to us as Jews since it is based upon the principles of our sacred Torah which recognizes the equality of all men before the law. For thus it is written:— “Like any citizen in your own midst shall be unto you the stranger who sojourns with you. and thou shall love him as thyself” (Leviticus 19:34); “You shall love the stranger” (Deuteronomy 10:19), and many more commands of this purport.
ולכן תקותי חזקה שאחינו היהודים בארצות הברית יכירו את יקרת חג הזכרון הנ״ל ויוקירוהו בכל אשר יוכלו, ויקהלו בבתי כנסיות להודות לר׳ חסדו על עם האמעריקאני בכלל, להעריץ במשאת נפֿש זכר נשיא הארץ הזאת הראשון, געאָרג װאַשינגטאָן, לברכה בצל שדי ולהתפלל בעד שלום ממשלת העם האמעריקאַני כלו ביום ג׳ כ״ט ניסן (ל׳ לחדש אפריל) הבע״ל בשעה התשיעית בבקר.	Therefore do I ardently hope that our brethren, the Jews of the United States, will heartily join in the festivities of the ensuing centennial celebration, and will do all that is in their power to make it impressive and memorable; that they will all assemble in the synagogues on Tuesday the twenty-ninth day of Nissen (April 30), at nine o’clock in the morning, and render praise and thanksgivings to God for His mercies upon the American nation, with solemnity and reverence pay respect to the memory of the first President of this land, George Washington, of blessed memory, and invoke blessings of heaven upon the government of this, our beloved land.
יעקב יאָסעף, רב הכולל לאגודת הקהילות באמעריקא פּה ניי-יאָרק. עש״ק הוהמ״פ תרמ״ט.	JACOB JOSEPH, Chief Rabbi of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations of the United States. New York. Friday. 4th day of Passah, 5649.

תפלה	PRAYER.
ואני תפֿלה שיהיו נא אמרינו ומפֿעלינו ביום חג הזכרון, חג מאת השנים להנשא געאָרג װאַשינגטאָן לפרעזידענט בארצות הברית לרצון לפני אדון כל.	I pray that all we may say and do in the centennial celebration commemorating the installation of George Washington as President of the United States may be acceptable before the Lord of all.
אבינו שבשמים! למן אז רחף רוח קדשיך על תהום רבה וברברך צוית יבשה להראות מתחולל הארץ ויצוריה נתת בינה בלב האדם יציר כפּיך למשול בים וביבשה ולדרוש דעת קדשך במרחבי הבריאה, ובלב אנוש נטעת חיים רוחניים ותחזק אותו לעבור מצולות ימים ולהודיע פעלך וגדלך על מלא רחב כל חלקי האדמה,	Our Father, who art in heaven, since Thy holy spirit was hovering over the waters of creation and Thy word commanded dry land to appear, and the earth and the creatures thereon were called into existence, Thou hast granted knowledge to the heart of man to rule the seas and the dry land and to search Thy holy wisdom throughout the breadth of creation. Aye, in the heart of man hast Thou implanted spiritual life and hast given it strength to brave the deep waters and to proclaim Thy work and Thy glory throughout all lands.
ובעת אשר גלאו עמי הארץ בדרכי יושר וצדק ואמונת קדשיך כמעט עוממה בלבותם מפֿני חמת המציק העירות רוח כריסטאָפהער קאָלוּמבוּס לגלות ארצנו החדשה, אשר אנחנו גרים בה כעת,	And when the nations on earth were erring in the paths of justice and righteousness, and Thy holy faith was extinct in the hearts of many from oppression and the overbearing of men, Thou didst inspire Christopher Columbus to discover this our new land in which we live today.
והבאים אליה מעמי הזאַכסין הורית בינה ליסד ממשלת חפֿש ודרור לכל מין האנושי לבלתי יעיק איש לרעהו ולמען יהיו זכיות כל איש שוים לפֿני החקים והמשפטים אשר ישוו למו.	Those who have come hither from the Saxon race Thou hast granted wisdom to establish a government of freedom and liberty for all men, that one should not oppress the other, and that the rights of every one should be equal before the laws and the statutes they created.
ותגדל חסדיך על שרידי פליפי עם בחירך הבאים לארצות הברית האלה להיות כיתר אזרחי הארץ ולקרא בשמך הגדול וללכת בדרכי תורתך הקדושה באין מכלים דבר.	Thy mercy was great upon the remainder of Thy people Israel, who have come to the United States, for here they enjoy the same rights as all other citizens, and could worship Thy holy name and walk in the ways of Thy holy law without hindrance.
אנא, זכר נא לרצון את נשמות המחוקקים הישרים אשר על פּיהם נוסרה תקנת עם האמעריקאני ובתוכם את הנשיא הראשון לארצנו זאת, הפרעזירענט געאָרג װאַשינגטאָן ובצל כנפֿי חסדך תנוח נשמתו הטהורה,	May it be Thy inscrutable will to remember in grace the souls of the framers of the Constitution of the United States, and among them the first President of this people, George Washington, of blessed memory.
תן חכמה וגבורה בלב נשיאנוּ השומר חקי ארצנו לעת כזאת, בנימין האָרריסאָן שיחי׳ להוליך את העם אשר בחרו בו, על דרכי החיים המאושרים ועל מביע האמונה והדעת ובלב יועציו ושריו מידות רצון ורחמים ונר בני האדם.	Grant wisdom and strength to our present Executive, Benjamin Harrison; long may he live, that he may lead the people who have elected him on the road to prosperous living and in the paths of faith and wisdom. May his ministers, counsellors and advisers be imbued with the virtues of grace and of mercy toward all men.
האצל נא מרוח קדשך על כל מחקקי ארצנו ומנהיגי עם אמעריקאַ לשמור משפּט צדק ודת יושר, וחין פעלך יראה על נשיא הפלך הזה ושר העיר נוי-יאָרק וכל עוזריהם ותומכיהם והגלוים להם בשירות העם, ומברכתך יבורך ישראל עמך ויקדיש ויעריץ שמך הגדול עד תמלא הארץ דעת את ה׳ כַּמַּ֖יִם לַיָּ֥ם מְכַסִּֽים. אמן.	May Thy holy spirit be apportioned to all the law givers and administrators of this land, that they uphold the principles of justice, righteousness and religious fidelity. May the grace of Thy work become known through the Governor of this State, the Mayor of the city of New York and all those who help and assist them in the service of the people. And may Israel, Thy people, participate in Thy blessings, and Thy holy name be sanctified and extolled until the world be full of the knowledge of God like water covering the sea.^[1] Cf. Isaiah 11:9 Amen.

On April 4, 1889, President Benjamin Harrison signed Proclamation 289—Centennial of George Washington’s Inauguration, writing:

In order that the joy of the occasion may be associated with a deep thankfulness in the minds of the people for all our blessings in the past and a devout supplication to God for their gracious continuance in the future, the representatives of the religious creeds, both Christian and Hebrew, have memorialized the Government to designate an hour for prayer and thanksgiving on that day.

Rabbi Jacob Joseph, chief rabbi of New York City’s Association of American Orthodox Hebrew Congregations (a federation of Eastern European Jewish synagogues with aspirations of creating a unified chief rabbinate for America), welcomed President Harrison’s invitation with his own proclamation, calling on American Jewry to participate. The proclamation and prayer were printed in English and Hebrew in the New York Herald on 20 April, 1889.^[2] Scanned images thanks to Fulton History. Fred MacDowell, who brought this prayer to our attention, notes that the translation was likely made by Judah David Eisenstein, a congregant at Beth Midrash Hagodol, the seat of Rabbi Jacob Joseph’s ‘chief rabbinate.’ MacDowell writes, “Eisenstein was active in the plan the resulted in his hiring, and he was a translator of Hebrew, translating and publishing numerous texts, in both directions. The odds that someone else in Rabbi Jacob Joseph’s orbit besides him was willing and able to accomplish this translation is, it seems to me, not great.”

It must be noted that the proclamation signed immediately prior to the Washington centennial was “Proclamation 288—Opening to Settlement Certain Lands in the Indian Territory,” directly impacting the livelihoods of the indigenous Creek and Seminole nations.

Source

From ‘Israel and the Centennial’ (New York Herald 1889-20-04) part 1

From ‘Israel and the Centennial’ (New York Herald 1889-20-04) part 2

From ‘Israel and the Centennial’ (New York Herald 1889-20-04) part 3

Notes

Notes
1	Cf. Isaiah 11:9
2	Scanned images thanks to Fulton History.

Prayer on the 100th Anniversary of the Death of George Washington, by Rabbi Edward N. Calisch (1899)

Aharon N. Varady (transcription) — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 21:10:36 +0000

Contribute a translation	Source (English)
	O, ETERNAL Master of universal life, with reverent gratitude to Thee we have met to-day to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Thy summons of our illustrious brother. First among our nation’s heroes he stands as chief among the peerless few of the world’s greatest and best. He is the heart of our nation’s ideals. By the throbbings of his fadeless influence, the red life current of our holiest power runs through the minutest capillary of our national being. A century has rounded out since, in obedience to Thy call, he was laid to rest here in his beloved Vernon. The tide of time may ebb and flow, the waves of the years may rise and fall again, the gusts of passions and of strife may blow with the flame-belching breath of war; but, unmoved as the rock-ribbed and eternal hills, stainless as the freshly-fallen snow, his name is written on the hearts of his countrymen with the pen of their unforgetting love.
	He was indeed one of the judges raised by Thy hand for his people. Not alone with the mastery of war didst Thou endow him, nor alone with the power of supreme leadership, but with the more generous gift of moral heroism. In the men of his own and succeeding generations his personality created a sentiment that was too deep for cheers or pomp or pageantry. He touched their heart-strings till they gave forth the silent melody of tears and the pean of fervent prayer. Thou didst render him childless, that he might be father of us all. His genius and his heroism rendered possible the birth of our nation, and at his death he bequeathed to us forevermore the splendor of his virile manhood and the heritage of his consummate character.
	And now, O God, as to-day we speak with glowing ardor of the greatness of our country, of the proud position it holds among the nations of the earth, while we glory in its power, that has spread o’er the seas and the islands thereof; while we are jubilant over each new star added to our flag; while we see that our country is the haven for the storm-tossed of the earth; while we remember, with swelling hearts, that ours is the ideal of human government, where liberty is enthroned in dazzling and unquenchable beauty, where, under Thy guidance we have become the avenging sword of justice, the champions of freedom to the uttermost ends of the earth, let us never forget that we have built upon the foundation laid down by his hands working out Thy plans, as drawn upon the trestle-board of history. By the enduring power of righteousness he bedded the foundation-stones of our republic; with the trowel of trust he wrought, cementing them with the tempered mortar of love; he measured them with the compass of pure and holy purpose; he set them with the square of honor and the level of loyal and patriotic ideas, but, above all he sustained and supported them by an unwavering faith in Thee, O Great Author of our life. And thus sustained and supported, our republic, like the noble order that has gathered to-day, shall last as long as the sun shall rise— rise to gild its cloud-capped towers, or the moon lead on the night to illumine its starry-decked canopy.
	Be this day and hour a blessing unto us; be it, too, an impulse unto us for holy action, guided by Thee. Do Thou let the seal of Thy approval close our reverent commemoration, to render it forever acceptable in Thy sight. Amen.

This “Washington Anniversary Prayer” was offered by Rabbi Edward Nathan Calisch during the Masonic ceremonies at Mt. Vernon, 18 December 1899, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of George Washington’s death. Rabbi Calisch published it in his autobiography, Three Score and Twenty (1945), pp. 47-48.

Invocation for the 78th Annual Reading of President George Washington’s letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island, by Rabbi Stephen Belsky

Stephen Belsky — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 19:02:01 +0000

This invocation was given at the 78th annual George Washington Letter Reading Event, August 17, 2025 (23 Av, 5785), held by the Touro Synagogue Foundation to celebrate the famous 1790 letter exchange between the Jewish community of Newport, Rhode Island (represented by warden Moses Seixas) and first president of the United States, George Washington. Washington’s response to Seixas’s letter, in which he quotes some of his most iconic phrasings, is one of the first official statements by the US government on the value of religious freedom. This Letter Reading Event was held in the Old Colony House (where the Jewish community’s letter was probably presented to President Washington), rather than in the Touro Synagogue, due to Congregation Shearith Israel in New York’s barring of the Touro Synagogue Foundation from access to the building.

Contribute a translation	Source (English)
	Although the Jewish community had shrunk since the Revolutionary War, when President Washington sent his letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, there were still Jews worshipping at the Touro Synagogue who either themselves, or their close relatives, or friends they had known, were refugees who had escaped the Inquísitory regimes of Spain, Portugal, and their colonies, and who had crossed the sea like their Scriptural ancestors, in search of freedom.
	We find in Sefardic prayerbooks of this era, a special Traveler’s Prayer for sea journeys, that invoked the merit and memory of our Ancestors and our Prophets and כל הצדיקים…שהיו בכל דור all the righteous of all generations, beseeching God to protect the ship, its passengers and crew, from the dangers of the great and restless waters, and bring them with a fair wind safely, to their destination.
	In that spirit, following in their wake, I pray, God of our Ancestors, Molder of Creation, Father of Humanity, O God who grants success to leaders and responsibility to citizens – יהי רצון מלפניך May it be Your will, to bless the memory of Moses Seixas and of George Washington, along with the founders of Rhode Island, and the authors of the Flushing Remonstrance, and the drafters of the Bill of Rights, and of all those up and down these shores, near and far – Native and Newcomer, settler and slave – who fought and taught and lived and died setting the course of our country towards the freedoms we hold dear; especially the freedom to worship You as we know You, without compulsion or fear of control.
	Protect their dream and soothe their nightmares; let their holy vision flourish and heal the echoes of their sins.
	And when this world rages with hate like the wild waves of a stormy sea, rescue us and our freedoms, from the tempest and the flood.
	In the merit of President Washington and Moses Seixas, and of all those throughout the generations who have championed civil and religious liberty, please, God, uproot and destroy all cruelty and hatred from upon us, from among us, from between us, and from within us; and spread the sheltering tabernacle of peace over this, our common home, and over our homeland across the sea, and over all the Earth, with all humanity dwelling in brotherhood and tranquility.
	And may the spirit of civic unity – of mutual respect, of neighborly concern, and of loving fellow-citizenship – fill our sails and illuminate our souls, as we navigate treacherous waters, trusting in Your loyal kindness.
	May this be God’s will, and let us say, אמן.

For a public reading that provides the historical frame story around this letter, find the Megillat Washiŋton.