Together with millions of Dutch people celebrating the coronation of Willem-Alexander as Holland’s new king on Tuesday, the nation’s Jews celebrated this historic day in their own way – with a special prayer and an ancient traditional blessing.
The prayer, which has been distributed among the Jewish communities of Holland in recent days, states: “May He Who grants salvation to kings and dominion to rulers; Whose Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; Who releases his servant David from the evil sword; Who places a path in the sea and a passageway in the mighty waters – may He bless, guard, protect, exalt, raise up and elevate the king, Willem-Alexander, may his glory be magnified.”
This prayer, which was distributed in both Hebrew and Dutch, will be said by Holland’s Jews in their synagogues every Shabbat during the Shacharit morning services.
'May He bless, guard, protect, exalt, raise up and elevate the king.' Jewish prayer
This prayer has been recited by the Jewish community for hundreds of years as they prayed for the welfare of each generation of the Royal House of Holland. Holland’s rabbis have always adapted it to the prevailing circumstances, as they have in our times as well, under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Binyamin Jacobs
In addition to mentioning the name of the king, the prayer for the welfare of King Willem-Alexander also refers to his wife, his daughters and his mother, the departing Queen Beatrix.
In the words of the prayer, “May He bless… his wife the queen, and their daughter, next in line to the throne, along with the rest of their daughters, and Princess Beatrix the mother of the king, and the entire royal family, may their glory be exalted.”
The prayer also includes a special petition for the Jewish community and its relationship with the royal family: “May the King of all kings, in His mercy, instill in the heart of the king and in the hearts of all his ministers and advisors a spirit of integrity and righteousness, that they may do that which is good for us and for all of Israel.”
Source: Ynet
