Meditation on the Sabbath, by Lilian Helen Montagu (1895)

Source Link: https://opensiddur.org/?p=50693

Date: 2023-05-08

Last Updated: 2025-03-27

Categories: Erev Shabbat

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: "Meditation on the Sabbath" was written by Lilian Helen Montagu and published in Prayers for Jewish Working Girls (1895), pp. 18-19. . . .

Content:

Contribute a translation	Source (English)
	Meditation on the Sabbath.
	Thou, O Lord, hast commanded us to honour the Sabbath day, and to keep it holy. How best can I do this? Not by wearing finery, for it is man who looketh on the outward appearance, but God looketh on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
	I do not honour the Sabbath by parading the streets and staring into shop-windows; nor do I keep it holy by making it a day of feasting.
	But it is good for me to draw near unto Thee, to make the Lord God my refuge (Psalms 72:28). On the Sabbath day I must set apart some time for prayer, so that I may obtain strength and courage to go through the toil of the coming week.
	Even though I am tired out when the Sabbath comes, I will not spend too many hours in bed, so as to deny myself the benefit of having communion with Thee! for the entrance of Thy words giveth light; it gives understanding to the simple (Psalms 119:130).
	It is not displeasing unto Thee that I should rejoice on the Sabbath day, for it is Thy command that I should serve Thee with gladness. I will seek pure enjoyments, and try to share them with my parents, sisters, and brothers.
	It is not displeasing unto Thee that I should walk and take healthy exercise, for the glory of young people is their strength (Proverbs 20:29).
	I will strive to approach nearer to Thee, that I may see Thy light, and Thou wilt create in me a clean heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

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“Meditation on the Sabbath” was written by Lilian Helen Montagu and published in Prayers for Jewish Working Girls (1895), pp. 18-19.

Source(s)

 

Contributor: Aharon N. Varady (transcription)

Co-authors:

• 
  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
• 
  Name: Aharon N. Varady (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-transcription

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