Prayer on Losing Some One Near and Dear, by Lilian Helen Montagu (1895)

Source Link: https://opensiddur.org/?p=50646

Date: 2023-05-07

Last Updated: 2023-05-07

Categories: Mourning

Tags: 19th century C.E., 57th century A.M., English vernacular prayer, Jewish Women's Prayers, teḥinot in English, West Central Girls' Club, תחינות teḥinot

Excerpt: "Prayer for a Dear Relation or Friend Who is Ill" was written by Lilian Helen Montagu and published in Prayers for Jewish Working Girls (1895), pp. 26-27. . . .

Content:

Contribute a translation	Source (English)
	Prayer on losing some one near and dear.
	Almighty God,— Bow down Thine ear unto me and hear me, for I cry unto Thee in my grief. Do not forsake me, O Lord, for without Thy love I cannot live.
	O Lord, God of love, who hast created me in Thy image, and made it possible for me too to love, Thou wilt not cut me off for ever from those dear ones who have gone before me! Thou wilt cause me to be with them again, at the time when it shall please Thee. Give me patience!
	Strengthen my trust, for I am sorely tried. Teach me, O Lord, the lesson of death, that I may try to make the most of my life, and, as far as possible work for my salvation.
	I feel so lonely, O Lord! I long for the strong human love which is veiled from me now. Oh, in my anguish, give me courage. Make me rely upon myself and be strong. Thou art the Father of the living and the dead! I cannot understand Thy hidden ways. May Thy will be done!
	The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord! (Job 1:21)
	Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is, that I may know how frail I am. (Psalms 39:4)

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“Prayer on Losing Some One Near and Dear” was written by Lilian Helen Montagu and published in Prayers for Jewish Working Girls (1895), pp. 27-28.

Source(s)

 

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: Lilian Helen Montagu
  Bio: The Hon. Lilian Helen "Lily" Montagu, CBE (22 December 1873 – 22 January 1963) was the first woman to play a major role in Progressive Judaism. Until the age of 15, she was educated at Doreck College, and privately educated thereafter. In 1893 she founded with Emily Marion Harris the West Central Jewish Girls Club (which subsequently merged into the Jewish Girls' Brigade). She was active in social improvement, particularly in respect to unemployment, sweat shops and bad housing. In 1901 and 1902, Montagu laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Jewish Religious Union in London. In February 1902 she arranged the first meeting of the Jewish Religious Union for the Advancement of Liberal Judaism at her sister Henrietta Franklin's house. The Union set up the first synagogue in Liberal Judaism in the UK and helped found the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Montagu was a founding member with her sister of the Jewish League for Woman Suffrage. She sat on the executive committee and led the meetings in prayer. Following the retirement of Leo Baeck, Montagu served for a brief stint (1955–1959) in her 80s as president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, before handing the reins over to Solomon Freehof.
  Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lily_Montagu
  Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/lilian-helen-montagu

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