Prayer for the United States on a Civic Fast Day during the Civil War, by Rabbi Sabato Morais (30 April 1863) • the Open Siddur Project

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

Excerpt: This prayer by Rabbi Sabato Morais was offered on 30 April 1863 at the conclusion of a "A Sermon. Delivered in accordance with the Proclamation of the President of the United States, at the Synagogue in Seventh Street, above Arch, on the National Fast-day, by the Rev. S. Morais, Minister of the Congregation", that was published in The Philadelphia Inquirer on 2 May 1863. It was preserved by Rabbi Morais in his ledger (page 23, clipping 026), an archive of newsclippings recording material he contributed to the press, among other announcements. (Many thanks to the Library of the University of Pennsylvania for helping to make this resource accessible.) . . .

Content:

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	Father of mercy! In the day of our National humiliation we have come to seek Thy countenance. Hide it not from Thy contrite suppliants, lest the people whom Thou didst cause to walk in light be enshrouded in utter darkness. Heavy is the gloom that surrounds us, but a benignant look from Thee.
	O Almighty Protector, can restore serenity to our horizon. Remember Thy compassion, O Lord, and Thy loving kindness, which are everlasting. For, surely, Thy watchful Providence signally exhibited towards this country has not departed therefrom. Thou hast not rejected the creatures whom Thou wast pleased greatly to exalt. Even from our primeval days, Thy invisible hand led us securely in grievous times. When earthly kings had conspired to crush us beneath the weight of their power, Thou didst raise a deliverer, and he brought us out to enlargement. And because he found grace in Thy sight, Thou didst endow him with superior knowledge to understand Thy will, and with a spirit of beneficence to execute it. Tutored by the counsel of Thy messenger, we rose to excellence and stood as a beacon to distant nations; nay, people we know not triumphed in our glory, and rejoiced at our happiness.
	But now, alas, O, Omnipotent! our delight has changed into mourning. Fear and shame have seized our hearts; for that which formed our national pride is awaning apace. This home, which our fathers had built for us to dwell in in brotherly union, threatens to fall. To whom shall we flee for help in our affliction? In whose hands shall we commit the preservation of our precious heir-loom? Unto Thee, O, Most High! we call, and at Thy altar we offer supplications. Suffer not the recipients of Thy infinite bounty to be now exposed to danger and sorrow. Oh, deign to cast Thy shield around the structure reared by the good and the faithful, that not a single stone thereof may over decay. For it is our shelter, it is our comfort; it is the laboratory where the hearts of men are fashioned in one mould, that they may beat in unison of feelings and desires.
	Return, O Lord, and repent Thee concerning Thy servants; and if the awful calamity which rages in our borders was decreed against us as a requital for our national misdeeds, let the suffering it has occasioned be deemed a sufficient atonement. Remove Thy chastisement from Thy hapless children, and grant, O Almighty Sovereign, that it may leave us wiser and purer in Thy sight. Grant that it may imbue us with a higher appreciation of the blessings Thou hast showered down upon this country and its inhabitants. Then shall we have drawn from Thy judgments a lesson of moderation, of forbearance and discretion.
	Ruler of the Universe, at this hour, when the tearful eyes of a whole nation are directed to Thy celestial throne, bid thence a spirit of harmony unto their souls, and be reflected in the work of their Senators and Legislators; for then will this land enjoy her Sabbath of rest; neither ruin, nor migration, nor complaint shall be heard of any more in our territories. God of Israel, in whose habitation reigns eternal peace, grant, we most fervently beseech Thee, peace unto us and all mankind, now and evermore. Amen.

This prayer by Rabbi Sabato Morais was offered on 30 April 1863 at the conclusion of a “A Sermon. Delivered in accordance with the Proclamation of the President of the United States, at the Synagogue in Seventh Street, above Arch, on the National Fast-day, by the Rev. S. Morais, Minister of the Congregation”, that was published in The Philadelphia Inquirer on 2 May 1863. It was preserved by Rabbi Morais in his ledger (page 23, clipping 026), an archive of newsclippings recording material he contributed to the press, among other announcements. (Many thanks to the Library of the University of Pennsylvania for helping to make this resource accessible.)

Source(s)

prayer for the day of national humiliation [1863-04-30] (Sabato Morais Ledger, p. 23 clipping 026)

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Title: prayer for the day of national humiliation [1863-04-30] (Sabato Morais Ledger, p. 23 clipping 026) – featured image
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