Patriotic sermon on the occasion of the birth of the first child of the Austrian Empress Elisabeth. The Bavarian princess Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie (1837 – 1898) was married to the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1854. Their first daughter Archduchess Sophie Friederike Dorothea of Austria was born in 1855. The Empress was called “Sissi” by family and friends from an early age. Elisabeth's role and influence on Austro-Hungarian politics was only marginal, but she was very popular and has also become a 20th century icon, featured in many films and theatrical productions.

Rabbi Ludwig Pollak delivered this sermon and prayer in the Altneuschule (Alt-Neu Synagogue) in Prague. From the eighteenth century on we find sermons delivered by Jewish preachers on occasions not only of specifically Jewish concern, but rather pertaining to the wider society in which Jews were living (e.g. the outbreak of a war, a defeat or a victory, important events in the life of the monarchs of a country, etc). These new sermons reflect a new kind of awareness and longing of the Jews for acculturation, emancipation and participation in the society around them. On important occasions both Jews and Christians would be in their respective place of worship listening to the religious message of their leaders. Important sermons and hymns delivered on patriotic occasions were usually published.