The Liberation of the Jews 1808
Source: Les décisions doctrineles du Grande Sanhédrin. Verdier, Lagrasse, 2008, Translated for marxists.org by Mitchell Abidor.
Liberated by the French Revolution, devoted to the republic that made this possible, French Jewry was no less loyal to Napoleon, who in this area at least continued the work of the First Republic. In 1806 Napoleon convoked the first Great Sanhedrin in centuries, including rabbis from France and newly conquered Italy. The Emperor posed twelve questions on the place of Jews in French society, concerning matters like polygamy, divorce, and usury, and the result of their responses and the assembly itself was an even firmer anchoring of Jews within French society. An Imperial Decree of 1808 prescribed “the reciting of prayers said in common in temples for his majesty the Emperor and King and the Imperial family. David Sintzheim, president of the Sanhedrin and the Central Consistory of French Israelites, “considering that it is important that the formulation of this prayer be uniform for all synagogues of the Empire,” composed the following.
Eternal God, master of the Universe, from the height of thy Throne, thou tilt the gaze of thy Providence towards the heavens and the earth.
Power and might are thine; through thee alone all things grow, all things become strong; through thee kings reign; it is thee who distributes the Scepter for the governing of nations.
Cast from thy sacred residence a favorable, blessed gaze, preserve and assist our august Sovereign, Napoleon the Great, Emperor of the French, King of Italy.
Amen.
Pour upon him the treasure of thy benedictions; extend the length of his reign into the most distant future.
Amen.
May thy divine eye ceaselessly watch over him, and his brow be ever adorned with a crown of immortal glory.
Amen.
May his enemies yield before him, may happiness, peace, and tranquility accompany his reign.
Amen.
May the rays of thy light guide and protect him; may thy mercy and grace serve as his shield.
Amen.
May Louise, his beloved Companion, that model queen, participate in his glory and his happiness.
Amen.
Forever increase the might, grandeur, and elevation of our Sovereign and those of his family.
Amen.
Ensure the happiness of Israel by rendering us worthy of his benevolence, and see to it that we are agreeable in the eyes of all who approach him.
Amen.
Receive our expressions and the wishes of our hearts with favor; grant them, God our Creator and our Liberator.
Amen.