A brocha fit for a king

Former Johannesburg major, the late David Neppe, held an official dinner at the city council mayoral banquet hall to honour the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu.

As chaplain, I discussed the idea of making a brocha over a king. After all, this king had even more power over his people, than, say, the queen of England. I suggested to Neppe that when the king entered, I begin proceedings with a short explanation of sheva mitzvos bnei noach (the Torah laws that all nations of the world should observe) and recite the appropriate brocha.

The king entered with a lot of pomp and ceremony. His subjects all bowed, and some prostrated to the ground. I gave my little speech, and recited the appropriate blessing in Hebrew which I then translated: “Baruch ata Hashem elokeinu melech ha-olam shechalak meekvodo libassar vidam [Blessed are you, Lord, king of the universe, who has given of his glory to flesh and blood.]”

It made a favourable impression. During the banquet, the king approached me, saying, “This is the first time anyone has ever blessed me in the original language of the Bible, in Hebrew. I believe in the G-d-given Bible. I appreciate your blessing very much.”

So ended an evening which left a kiddush Hashem (sanctification of G-d’s name) on all those who attended.

• Rabbi Alex Carlebach is the rabbi at Chabad of Lyndhurst in Johannesburg.