Priestly Prayer for Israel’s Restoration
About This Entry
The letter from the Jews of Jerusalem to the Jews of Egypt at the start of 2 Maccabees provides a justificatory narrative for the observance of Hanukkah. The author relates fancifully that at the time of the Babylonian exile, the priests hid away sacred fire from the altar. When they returned from exile, the fire had become the thick black liquid naphtha. Miraculously, this kindled the altar fire in the time of Nehemiah. The author imagines the following priestly prayer for the full restoration of Israel offered over the dedicatory sacrifice.
23And while the sacrifice was being consumed, the priests offered prayer—the priests and everyone. Jonathan led, and the rest responded, as did Nehemiah. 24The prayer was to this effect:
“O Lord, Lord God, Creator of all things, you are awe-inspiring and strong and just and merciful, you alone are king and are kind, 25you alone are bountiful, you alone are just and almighty and eternal. You rescue Israel from every evil; you chose the ancestors and consecrated them. 26Accept this sacrifice on behalf of all your people Israel and preserve your portion and make it holy. 27Gather together our scattered people, set free those who are slaves among the Gentiles, look on those who are rejected and despised, and let the Gentiles know that you are our God. 28Punish those who oppress and are insolent with pride. 29Plant your people in your holy place, as Moses promised.”
Translation from the New Revised Standard Version.
Credits
New Revised Standard Version Bible copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.
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You may also like
Prayer of Simon the High Priest for Israel’s Deliverance
Eleazar’s Prayer for Israel’s Deliverance and Victory
3 Maccabees 6:1–15
Ben Sira’s Prayer for the Salvation of Israel
Ben Sira 36:1–22
Prayer for Instruction and Deliverance
Psalms Scrolla 24:3–17 (Psalm 155)
Jesus’ Prayer on Jewish Models
Personal Petitions in the Mishnah
m. Berakhot 4:2