Prayer for the United States on a Civic Fast Day to avert Civil War, by Rabbi Sabato Morais (26 September 1861) • the Open Siddur Project

Tags: 19th century C.E., 57th century A.M., English vernacular prayer, Ḳ.Ḳ. Miḳveh Israel (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Philadelphia, Slaveholders' Rebellion (1861-1865)

Excerpt: This prayer by Rabbi Sabato Morais was offered on Shemini Atseret, the day decreed by President Abraham Lincoln for "public humiliation, prayer and fasting" (26 September 1861) as recorded in an "Address. Delivered by the Rev. S. Morais, Minister of the Congregation Mikveh Israel, Philadelphia, on the National 'Fast Day.'" published in The Jewish Messenger on 4 October 1861. It was preserved by Rabbi Morais in his ledger (page 21, clipping 022), an archive of newsclippings recording material he contributed to the press, among other announcements. The annotation accompanying the clipping reads, "at the breaking out of the unfortunate Civil War." (Many thanks to the Library of the University of Pennsylvania for helping to make this resource accessible.) . . .

Content:

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	Lord God! who didst bless this land with Thy favors, restore her, we beseech thee to unity. Cancel her iniquities, and let her be distinguished anew for the virginal purity of her pristine years. Grant that charity and truth may weave the garland that shall adorn her children, for, then will righteousness and peace be met in her midst clasped in each others embrace.
	Guide Thou the steps which are now wending toward the conquest of right, that they may not overreach the bounds prescribed. Let the mind which a misguided judgment has darkned, become penetrated with the light of truth, and it will amend its errors.
	Grant O God! that the nation thou triest in the crucible of affliction, may issue forth purified from the drop that has sullied it.
	Oh, Eternal Being, who didst rekindle feelings of love in the bosom of the fierce son of Isaac, breathe into us words of brotherly, reconciliation, and let the hand that wields the sword be fraternally seized with a mutual grasp.
	At this hour, when the heart of a whole nation is upheaved to thee, calm O Omnipotent! its inward perturbation. Regard the prayer, which in various strains, but in consonance of thoughts, is addressed to thee. Let the Angel of Mercy present it to the Throne of Grace, and bring down thy Fatherly blessing upon thy suppliants, even, honor, union and peace for evermore.— Amen.

This prayer by Rabbi Sabato Morais was offered on Shemini Atseret, the day decreed by President Abraham Lincoln for “public humiliation, prayer and fasting” (26 September 1861) as recorded in an “Address. Delivered by the Rev. S. Morais, Minister of the Congregation Mikveh Israel, Philadelphia, on the National ‘Fast Day.'” published in The Jewish Messenger on 4 October 1861. It was preserved by Rabbi Morais in his ledger (page 21, clipping 022), an archive of newsclippings recording material he contributed to the press, among other announcements. The annotation accompanying the clipping reads, “at the breaking out of the unfortunate Civil War.” (Many thanks to the Library of the University of Pennsylvania for helping to make this resource accessible.)

Source(s)

prayer for the national fast day at the outbreak of the civil war [1861-09-26] (Sabato Morais Ledger, p. 21 clipping 022) – a

prayer for the national fast day at the outbreak of the civil war [1861-09-26] (Sabato Morais Ledger, p. 21 clipping 022) – b

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Title: prayer for the national fast day at the outbreak of the civil war [1861-09-26] (Sabato Morais Ledger, p. 21 clipping 022) – a
Caption: prayer for the national fast day at the outbreak of the civil war [1861-09-26] (Sabato Morais Ledger, p. 21 clipping 022) - a