Prayer for the Government, by Rabbi H.A. Henry (Ḳ.Ḳ. B'nai Jeshurun, Cincinnati, Ohio 1850)

Source Link: https://opensiddur.org/?p=57242

Date: 2024-07-11

Last Updated: 2024-07-11

Categories: Government & Country, United States of America

Tags: 19th century C.E., 57th century A.M., Cincinnati, English vernacular prayer, Ohio

Excerpt: An original prayer for the government of the United States, Ohio, and the city of Cincinnati by Rabbi H.A. Henry was published in an article, "Emendation of the Liturgy" in The Asmonean (21 June 1850), p. 6. . . .

Content:

Contribute a translation	Source (English)
	Almighty God and Supreme Governor of the Universe! Thou who art enthroned on high, and condescendest to look down on earth! O bless and prosper in thine abundant goodness, the United States of America, our happy country, the Land of Freedom, which thou hast destined to be our resting place.
	Grant, O Lord, that Virtue, Truth, Charity, and Mercy may flourish in these States.
	O! bless the inhabitants of this Land! Grant that nought but Peace and Happiness shall surround them both at home and abroad. Deliver them from all dangers and misfortunes. Endow them with the Spirit of love and affection for each other, that they may all live as brethren, as the children of the Universal Father of all mankind, for ever and ever, Amen.
	Pour forth, O Lord, thy blessings towards their Excellencies the President[1] At the time this prayer was published, Zachary Taylor (November 24, 1784 – July 9, 1850) was president. Taylor was an American military leader who served as the 12th president of the United States from 1849 until his death in 1850.  and the Vice President[2] Millard Fillmore (January 7, 1800 – March 8, 1874) was vice president to Zachary Taylor, and after the latter’s death in July 1850, the 13th president of the United States, serving from 1850 to 1853.  of the United States. May they be favored with health and vigor, and may all their efforts for the well-doing of the people prove prosperous. May Righteousness and Justice flourish in their days. O! banish all errors from their minds, and fashion their hearts according to thy infinite and gracious Providence.
	O! Shed thy grace, O God, upon the Governor of the State of Ohio;[3] Seabury Ford (October 15, 1801 – May 8, 1855) was a Whig politician from Ohio. He served as the 20th governor of Ohio (January 22, 1849 – December 12, 1850) and was the last Whig to serve as governor.  and the Mayor,[4] Henry Evans Spencer (June 13, 1807 – February 2, 1882) was Mayor of Cincinnati from 1843 to 1851.  and the Common Council of this city. Teach them to judge the people truly— instruct them in the path they shall tread— that their administration may prove wise, steady and prosperous. Send forth thy salvation O Lord unto this city of Cincinnati, and unto all its inhabitants. O! spread over them thy Pavilion of Peace, and remove from them all sorrows, all troubles. Protect them, and shield them from all harm. Incline their hearts to wisdom and piety, that they may serve thee in holiness of life, and purity of soul.
	And we thy chosen people Israel! O! satisfy us with thy goodness! let us also rejoice in thy salvation! Guide us O Lord by thy unerring Providence, that we may find grace in thy sight, and favor in the eyes of the world. O! may our daily supplications ascend thy throne of Grace, that we may live in peace with all mankind, and seek the welfare of the land where thou in thy mercy hast directed our course. In their days and in our days, may Judah be saved, Israel dwell in comfort; and the Redeemer come unto Zion! O! may such be thy Divine Will and let us say.—Amen.

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This original prayer for the government of the United States, Ohio, and the city of Cincinnati by Rabbi H.A. Henry was published in an article, “Emendation of the Liturgy” in The Asmonean (21 June 1850), p. 6. There, the prayer was introduced as follows,

CINCINNATI.—The Board of Trustees of the B’nai Jeshurun Congregation of this city, lately unanimously, resolved to request their respected preacher, the Rev. H.A. Henry, to compose a prayer for the welfare of the Government and people of the United States, and that the said prayer should be offered in the English language in the Synagogue, on Sabbaths and Festivals, instead of הנותן השועה “He who dispenses salvation,” &c., as formerly used by them in accordance with the custom and practice of the European congregations. The following is a copy of the prayer which has been adopted, and was read during Divine Service on Sabbath last.

Source(s)

Emendation of the Liturgy (The Asmonean, 21 June 1850), p. 6

 

Notes[+]

Notes

1	At the time this prayer was published, Zachary Taylor (November 24, 1784 – July 9, 1850) was president. Taylor was an American military leader who served as the 12th president of the United States from 1849 until his death in 1850.
2	Millard Fillmore (January 7, 1800 – March 8, 1874) was vice president to Zachary Taylor, and after the latter’s death in July 1850, the 13th president of the United States, serving from 1850 to 1853.
3	Seabury Ford (October 15, 1801 – May 8, 1855) was a Whig politician from Ohio. He served as the 20th governor of Ohio (January 22, 1849 – December 12, 1850) and was the last Whig to serve as governor.
4	Henry Evans Spencer (June 13, 1807 – February 2, 1882) was Mayor of Cincinnati from 1843 to 1851.

Contributor: Aharon N. Varady (editing/transcription)

Co-authors:

• 
  Name: Aharon N. Varady (editing/transcription)
  Bio: 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.)
  Website: https://aharon.varady.net
  Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/aharon-varady
• 
  Name: Henry Abraham Henry
  Bio: Rabbi Henry Abraham Henry (1800-1879), born in London, was a traditional rabbi and Hebraist in the United Kingdom and United States. He was educated at the Jews' Free School, London, of which he was afterward principal until 1842. In this capacity he was the acknowledged bulwark of the London Jewry, especially in resisting the endeavors of the Society for the Conversion of the Jews. He was one of the founders of the Jews' Hospital and Orphan Asylum. In 1836 Henry compiled a volume of the daily prayers according to the German and Polish rites, and in 1840 published a Biblical Class Book for Jewish Youth and a Synopsis of Jewish History. While principal of the Free School, he officiated frequently in London synagogues, and in 1844 became rabbi to the Western Synagogue (St Albans Place) where he remained until 1849. He delivered his sermons in English a regular practice—a novel feature in those days. In 1849 he emigrated to the United States under engagement to the congregation at Louisville, Kentucky. He was, however, unavoidably delayed at Cincinnati, and accepted a position tendered to him there at the B'nai Jeshurun Synagogue. In 1851 Rabbi Henry came to Syracuse, New York where he served three years as rabbi. From Syracuse he removed to New York City, where he resided till 1857. That year he became the second rabbi of Sherith Israel. While in New York he also served the Henry Street congregation and superintended its religious school. He officiated later in the Clinton Street Synagogue. After some time he established a boarding-school for Jewish youth, which he maintained until his departure for California. He arrived there in 1857 and accepted the call of the Congregation Shearith Israel in San Francisco, which he served as rabbi till 1871. For a time during his residence in California he edited The Pacific Messenger.
  Website:
  Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/henry-abraham-henry

Featured Image:

Title: 1849 Map of Cincinnati, Ohio
Caption: 1849 Map of Cincinnati, Ohio