Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rabbi Arthur T. Buch on 25 April 1951

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Date: 2024-04-23

Last Updated: 2024-04-25

Categories: Opening Prayers for Legislative Bodies, United States of America

Tags: 20th century C.E., 58th century A.M., 82nd Congress, Cold War (1947–1953), English vernacular prayer, Prayers of Guest Chaplains, U.S. House of Representatives, United States in the Korean War, תחינות teḥinot

Excerpt: The Opening Prayer given in the U.S. House of Representatives on 25 April 1951. . . .

Content:

Guest Chaplain: Rabbi Arthur T. Buch, Temple Emanuel, Paterson, New Jersey
Sponsor: n/a
Date of Prayer: 25 April 1951

Contribute a translation	Source (English)
	O Thou who dost grant salvation to kings bless and protect the leaders of our Republic where the graces of nobility are the simple virtues that attend the good. Here in the greatest capital in the history of the world— greater than any palace or parliament— these our leaders stand proudly, yet humbly; proudly in the tradition of Washington and Lincoln against any oppression or oppressor, and humbly in Thy presence.
	It is this humility before Thee, O God, which renders this Congress the great hope of mankind for freedom, justice, and peace. It is this dependence on Thee which calls forth our prayer, rising like the blue incense unto Thee.
	In this hour of menace, be with our Nation, and our Nation’s arms. If in war, grant us that for which, it has been said, there is no substitute—grant us victory; but grant us the right kind of victory, not a wingless or pyrrhic one, but one that makes our national sacrifices ensure an international peace, with freedom and justice for all.
	To this end, in this hour of danger, may it be Thy side that is spoken for when the floor is taken so that the voice of a united America shall be heard the world round as an echo of the voice of God.
	Then, indeed, shall God bless America and all mankind. Amen.

This prayer of the guest chaplain was offered in the fourth month of the first session of the 82nd US Congress in the House of Representatives, and published in the Congressional Record, vol. 97, part 3 (25 April 1951), page 4356.

Source(s)

Contributor: Aharon N. Varady (editing/transcription)

Co-authors:

Name: Arthur T. Buch
Bio: Rabbi Arthur Buch served congregation Shaare Zedek (New York, New York). In the 1950s, he served as rabbi for Temple Emanuel in Paterson, New Jersey. A scholar and educator, he also taught at the New School for Social Research in New York City and the University of Scranton. He wrote his dissertation on the Jewish Community of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He authored The Bible on Broadway; a source book for ministers, educators, librarians, and general readers (1968). We know little more about Rabbi Buch. If you have more details to add to this bio, please contact us.
Website:
Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/arthur-buch

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

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-transcription

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