Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rabbi Morton M. Kanter on 8 June 1961
Source Link: https://opensiddur.org/?p=57023
open_content_license: Creative Commons Zero (CC 0) Universal license a Public Domain dedication Date: 2024-06-20
Last Updated: 2025-02-02
Categories: 🇺🇸 United States of America, Opening Prayers for Legislative Bodies
Tags: 20th century C.E., 58th century A.M., 87th Congress, English vernacular prayer, Prayers of Guest Chaplains, U.S. House of Representatives, תחינות teḥinot
Excerpt: The Opening Prayer given in the U.S. House of Representatives on 8 June 1961. . . .
Content:
Guest Chaplain: Rabbi Morton M. Kanter, Sinai Reform Temple, Bay Shore, New York
Sponsor: n/a
Date of Prayer: 8 June 1961
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The acts of the leader are the acts of the nation.
If the leader is just, the nation is just;
if he is unjust, the nation too is unjust
and is punished tor the sins of the leader. (Zohar II, 47a)
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Our God who art our Defender and Redeemer,
we thank Thee for our bountiful land,
but most of all,
we thank Thee for this new race of men
who have come out of lands of tyranny and oppression,
to begin life anew on these shores
that are blessed with the spirit of freedom.
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We penitently acknowledge
that America’s promise of freedom
still reaches toward fulfillment
and we are confident that equal rights
will soon be extended to all our fellow citizens.
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As we affirm our belief in equality for all,
let us remember that this includes
the opportunity to rise to leadership.
Let us keep in mind that great human advances
are not brought about by average men and women.
They are brought about by distinctly uncommon people
with a God-given spark of leadership.
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Thou who gives dominion and sovereignty to leaders,
be Thou with the President of the United States,
his counselors and advisers
and all those who have been called to serve our Nation.
Give them an abundant portion of Thy spirit
and endow them with discernment.
Direct their heads and hands
that they may govern with perfect justice and equality.
May their every act find favor in Thy sight.
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Bless our country with peace
and give our leaders the courage and wisdom
to lead our Nation in the ways of justice and righteousness.
Amen.
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This prayer of the guest chaplain was offered in the sixth month of the first session of the 87th US House of Representatives, and published in the Congressional Record, vol. 107 part 8 (8 June 1961), page 9769.
Source(s)
Congressional Record, vol. 107, part 8 (8 June 1961), p. 9769
Contributor: Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
Co-authors:
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Name: Morton Milford Kanter
Bio: Rabbi Morton Milford Kanter (1927-1996) was a Reform movement rabbi in the United States. He served in World War II and was a Hillel staff member at Miami University before being ordained by Hebrew Union College in 1955. He served Ohio congregations in Piqua (Anshe Emeth) and Dayton (Temple Israel), before coming to Sinai Reform Temple in Bay Shore, New York and Temple Beth El in Detroit, Michigan. (We know little else about Rabbi Kantor. If you know more and would like to honor his life and career with another pertinent detail, please contact us.
Website:
Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/morton-kanter
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Name: the Congressional Record of the United States of America
Bio: The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress, published by the United States Government Printing Office and issued when Congress is in session. Indexes are issued approximately every two weeks. At the end of a session of Congress, the daily editions are compiled in bound volumes constituting the permanent edition. Statutory authorization for the Congressional Record is found in Chapter 9 of Title 44 of the United States Code. (wikipedia)
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Record
Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/united-states-congressional-record
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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
Featured Image:
Title: Flag_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives.svg
Caption: Flag of the United States House of Representatives
