Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rabbi Nathan Zolondek on 28 January 1975
Source Link: https://opensiddur.org/?p=54058
open_content_license: Creative Commons Zero (CC 0) Universal license a Public Domain dedication Date: 2024-02-02
Last Updated: 2025-02-18
Categories: 🇺🇸 United States of America, Opening Prayers for Legislative Bodies
Tags: 20th century C.E., 58th century A.M., 94th Congress, English vernacular prayer, Prayers of Guest Chaplains, U.S. House of Representatives, תחינות teḥinot
Excerpt: The Opening Prayer given in the U.S. House of Representatives on 28 January 1975. . . .
Content:
Guest Chaplain: Rabbi Nathan Zolondek, Temple Tifereth Jacob, Hialeah, Florida
Date of Prayer: 28 January 1975
Sponsor: n/a
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Source (English) |
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Almighty God,
Supreme Ruler of Nations,
as the curtain rises upon another day in our lives,
invoke Thy blessing upon the work of our hands.
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We pray Thee,
enlighten the minds of our leaders,
endow them with true wisdom and guidance
so they may pursue the paths
of justice,
democracy,
and brotherhood.
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Help us to eradicate
intolerance,
prejudice,
and malice from our midst.
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Guard our beloved country
from every enemy
and drive from the hearts of men
hatred,
lustful desires,
and greed
that blinds the vision of Thy truth.
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Fortify our united determination
to establish a better world
in our time.
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Grant that these blessed United States of America
serve as a beacon light
for liberty loving people
the world over.
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May freedom and equality,
brotherhood and peace
fill our land forever.
Amen.
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This prayer of the guest chaplain was offered near the beginning of the first session of the 94th US Congress. The source images of the prayer were copied by Howard Mortman and shared via his @CongressRabbi Twitter account. All credit to Howard Mortman for his research in digging up this prayer. Unfortunately, neither the source images nor his tweets provide an exact citation reference to the volume, issue, and page number of the Congressional Record in which the prayer was published. If you know, leave a comment, or contact us.
Source(s)
Prayer of the Guest Chaplain (Nathan Zolondek 28 January 1975)
Contributor: Nathan Zolondek
Co-authors:
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Name: Nathan Zolondek
Bio: Rabbi Nathan Zolondek (1921-1993) served as rabbi for Temple Tifereth Jacob, Hialeah, Florida. We know very little else about save that earlier in his career, he served as cantor and principal of the religious school for Ahavath Shalom Sunday School in Rhode Island. If you know more, please contact us.
Website:
Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/nathan-zolondek
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Name: the Congressional Record of the United States of America
Bio: The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress, published by the United States Government Printing Office and issued when Congress is in session. Indexes are issued approximately every two weeks. At the end of a session of Congress, the daily editions are compiled in bound volumes constituting the permanent edition. Statutory authorization for the Congressional Record is found in Chapter 9 of Title 44 of the United States Code. (wikipedia)
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Record
Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/united-states-congressional-record
Featured Image:
Title: Flag_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives.svg
Caption: Flag of the United States House of Representatives
