Together with millions of Dutch people celebrating the coronation of Willem-Alexander as Holland’s new king, the nation’s Jews celebrated this historic day in their own way: with a special tefilla and recitation of the bracha. The tefilla, 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 shuls every Shabbos during shachris. This tefilla 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 tefilla 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 tefilla: “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.”
On the eve of the coronation, a special traditional ceremony was held in the Portuguese Shul in Amsterdam. This ancient synagogue, which is lit only by candles, was lit on this day with orange candles, coordinating with the name and color of the Royal House of Orange. During the ceremony the head of the congregation took out 14 Sifrei Torah, and a special tefilla was said in honor of the coronation.
Three representative of the Jewish community participated in the national ceremony held on Tuesday, among them the Chief Rabbi Binyamin Jacobs of interprovincial chief rabbinate and Rabbi Aryeh Ralbag, rabbi of Amsterdam. Rabbi Jacobs, who is also a member of the Rabbinical Centre of Europe (RCE), related that the new king’s words filled him with optimism. “I am certain,” he said, “that the warm relationship that prevailed between the outgoing Queen Beatrix and the Jewish community will continue under the reign of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, particularly in light of the fact that the king mentioned in his coronation speech that he intends to follow in the path established by his mother, whom he admires.” Overall, Rabbi Jacobs was quite pleased with the ceremony. “after the coronation,” he related, “among the heads of state in attendance and among the Dutch dignitaries, I recited the special blessing for an occasion such as this: ‘Blessed is He Who has apportioned His honor to human beings.’”
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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12 Responses
The advantage of a monarchy is that you have one person (including his/her family) that is apolitical. In a republic, the Head of State is always someone who has been involved in politics, was chosen by politicians, and/or has strong views on some subjects — and therefore is inherently controversial. Only a monarch who stays out of politics is suitable to be one neutral person that a country can support. Given the animosity towards recent presidents in the USA, the advantage of a universally respected Head of State should be obvious.
I an from Holland, and yes, there is a special relationship between the Jews and the kingdom. The whole country is celebrating as one Dutch nation without politics. This is very unique, especially what we go through in e”y and here in USA. I think e all could learn from this.
Well there’s a monarch in New York named D[bl]oomberg, and nobody really respects him….
1) Netherlands, not Holland.
2) they are not coronated.
#3- Since Bloomberg (and Obama and Cuomo, etc.) are elected politicians. That means they take part in noisy public debates (and this being a democracy, they are noisy). The beauty of a constitutional monarchy is the monarch is the only one who manages to stay out of politics, so everyone can like them. If a king starting debating issues, he would get villified the way republican (small “r”) leaders are.
May all this activity awaken within us a true desire for Moshiach, our righteous King and redeemer!
If so it’s “”the”” Netherlands.
In the Netherlands, there is no coronation as the crown is not actually worn. (as opposed to Britain, where the Monarch is actually crowned). The correct term is Investiture.
It’s not because of the crown but because a coronation is a church service.
#1 akuperma: So do you suggest the United states install a King?
#2 gjrp2etrog: What, exactly, happened in the USA?
I could just imagine the husband telling the wife shabbos morning, “honey I will be home 2 hours later than normal because we have to say the tfila for the king.”
Bogen: I leave that up to you to decide…