Abraham Joshua Heschel Biography

Abraham Joshua Heschel, Educator

Known as	A. J. Heschel
Occup.	Educator
From	Poland
Born	January 11, 1907 Warsaw, Poland
Died	December 23, 1972 New York City, New York, United States
Aged	65 years

Early Life and Education
Abraham Joshua Heschel was born on January 11, 1907, in Warsaw, Poland, into a prominent Hasidic family. His daddy, Moshe Mordechai Heschel, was a recognized scholar and his mom, Reizel Perlow, was the daughter of a famous Hasidic rabbi. The young Heschel grew up in a deeply spiritual environment, immersing himself in Jewish texts, religious philosophy, and the life of the Hasidic community.

Heschel received his early education at a traditional spiritual school and later studied at the University of Warsaw, where he earned his doctorate in viewpoint. In the early 1930s, he transferred to Germany and continued his research studies at different institutions, including the University of Berlin and the Hochschule für die Wissenschaft des Judentums, where he got his rabbinic ordination.

Teaching and Academic Career
In 1938, due to the increase of Nazi power in Germany, Heschel was expelled back to Poland. Quickly after, he was welcomed to join the faculty of the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio, hence saving him from the fate of numerous European Jews during the Holocaust.

In 1945, after World War II, Heschel ended up being a teacher at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS) in New York City, where he taught Jewish principles and mysticism for the rest of his career. Heschel's outstanding scholastic accomplishments and competence in conventional Jewish scholarship made him an in-demand speaker all over the world.

Philosophical and Religious Thought
Heschel's work was marked by a deep concern for social justice and a firm belief in the spiritual dimensions of life. He emphasized the value of spiritual experience and a personal relationship with God, drawing from the magical and spiritual aspects of Hasidic Judaism. Heschel likewise put fantastic significance on interfaith dialogue and good understanding, thinking that people of various religious beliefs might learn from one another and interact to address the world's problems.

Some of his most influential works include "Man is Not Alone" (1951), in which he articulates the human condition as one of "radical amazement" at the marvel of presence, and "God looking for Man" (1955), where he explores the concept of God's existence and action in the world. His book "The Sabbath" (1951) is a renowned work that highlights the religious significance of the Sabbath in Jewish life and its potential to motivate a much deeper spiritual consciousness.

Advocacy and Social Engagement
Heschel was deeply involved in social and political concerns throughout his life. He was a staunch supporter for civil rights and marched together with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. Heschel cultivated a relationship with Dr. King and was a key supporter of the civil liberties motion, motivating his fellow religious leaders to take a stand versus racial oppression.

In addition to his work for civil rights, Heschel was a vocal critic of the Vietnam War and worked tirelessly to promote peace and end the conflict. He was also deeply worried about the predicament of Soviet Jews who dealt with injustice and limited spiritual flexibility, speaking out on their behalf frequently.

Last Years and Legacy
Abraham Joshua Heschel died on December 23, 1972, in New York City. His body of work and his life of advocacy left an extensive effect on 20th century spiritual idea, both within Judaism and beyond. Heschel's dedication to interfaith dialogue, social justice, and his insight into the spiritual experience continues to motivate religious leaders, theorists, and individuals from varied backgrounds.

In memory of his impressive contributions, the Abraham Joshua Heschel School in New York and several other institutions bear his name, continuing to teach and promote the values and knowledge that animated his life.

Our collection contains 16 quotes who is written / told by Abraham.

Related authors: Martin Luther King Jr. (Minister), Philo (Philosopher), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)

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16 Famous quotes by Abraham Joshua Heschel

"Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy"

"Man is a messenger who forgot the message"

"A test of a people is how it behaves toward the old. It is easy to love children. Even tyrants and dictators make a point of being fond of children. But the affection and care for the old, the incurable, the helpless are the true gold mines of a culture"

"Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself"

"When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people"

"Man's sin is in his failure to live what he is. Being the master of the earth, man forgets that he is the servant of God"

"It is not enough for me to ask question; I want to know how to answer the one question that seems to encompass everything I face: What am I here for?"

"He who is satisfied has never truly craved, and he who craves for the light of God neglects his ease for ardor"

"A religious man is a person who holds God and man in one thought at one time, at all times, who suffers harm done to others, whose greatest passion is compassion, whose greatest strength is love and defiance of despair"

"Worship is a way of seeing the world in the light of God"

"Wonder rather than doubt is the root of all knowledge"

"Racism is man's gravest threat to man - the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason"

"God is of no importance unless He is of supreme importance"

"God is not a hypothesis derived from logical assumptions, but an immediate insight, self-evident as light. He is not something to be sought in the darkness with the light of reason. He is the light"

"The road to the sacred leads through the secular"

"The issue of prayer is not prayer; the issue of prayer is God"