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Meeting Pope Pius VI

When Pope Paul VI issued the the Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions, otherwise known as Nostre Aetate, it fundamentally shifted the relationship between Catholics and Jews. This process began under his predecessor, Pope John XXIII. Throughout the deliberations, Heschel was a key voice for Jewish values and concerns. When the Heschels visited Rome in the 1970s, they met with Pope Paul VI.

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Wide Horizons: Abraham Joshua Heschel, AJC, and the Spirit of Nostra Aetate

In Our Time: AJC and Nostre Aetate

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My own identity became renewed by the idea that Judaism and Jewish values and Jewish actions could be and should be brought to the streets. Rabbi David Steinhardt Heschel's ideas about prophecy, radical amazement, and communal responsibility have inspired me for decades. Rabbi Dan Orenstein He articulated my personal beliefs about Judaism and God. Matthew Bar
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Heschel at Reinhold Niebuhr’s Funeral

Reinhold Niebuhr’s funeral in Stockbridge, MA

Heschel gave the eulogy at his friend theologian Reinhold Niebuhr’s funeral in 1971. They had an intense, long-lasting friendship

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Notes on a Friendship: Abraham Joshua Heschel and Reinhold Niebuhr

An Unlikely Friendship on Seminary Row

When a Broader Religious Pluralism Began to Flower

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"The Spirit of the Prophet" Song I may not have been an actual classroom student of Heschel's, but I could, and did, stand on his shoulders.   Rabbi Jim Rudin Heschel’s emphasis on the need for “text-people,” prompted me to know that his life of learning, inspiration, and activism was Torah. Rabbi Elie Spitz
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Israel: An Echo of Eternity

Book Cover-Israel: An Echo of Eternity with wood cut menorah and Hebrew letters

Israel: An Echo of Eternity (1969)

Focused on the significance of the Jewish people, this book explores the historical and spiritual dimensions of Jewish identity. Heschel reflects on the enduring covenant between God and the Jewish people, emphasizing the responsibility to live in accordance with divine teachings. Heschel wrote this book following the Six Day War.

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"My Song," by Basya Schecter Prayer is a serious and consequential matter. There is a tension between the fixed and the spontaneous prayers, which must be felt. Rabbi Rolando Matalon He was my spiritual father. Dr. Reuven Kimelman
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The Earth is the Lord’s

Book Cover-The Earch is the Lord's, with silver piece of Judaica

The Earth Is the Lord’s: The Inner World of the Jew in East Europe (1950):

Heschel provides a vivid and personal account of Jewish life in Eastern Europe before the Holocaust. Through his personal reflections, he captured the richness of Jewish spirituality, culture, and devotion, shedding light on a world that was tragically lost.

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Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity Commitment to the divine imperative . . . empathy with the divine pathos. Rabbi Lenny Levin Psalm 42: Text and Commentary
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The Sabbath

Book Cover-The Sabbat, with woodcut

The Sabbath: Its Meaning for Modern Man (1951)

Heschel explores the spiritual and ethical significance of the Sabbath in this classic work. He argues that the Sabbath is a sanctuary in time, providing a space for humans to connect with the divine and find rest from the demands of everyday life.

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Heschel and the Vietnam War Heschel at Reinhold Niebuhr's Funeral Heschel in Ottawa, 1968 or 1969, Exploring "Shabbat as Spiritual Sanctuary"
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Man Is Not Alone

Book Cover-Man is not Alone, golden dust jacket with image of Michaelango's Adam

Man Is Not Alone: A Philosophy of Religion (1951):

In this philosophical exploration, Heschel delves into the nature of religious experience and the relationship between humanity and God. He emphasizes the idea that true knowledge of God comes through a profound sense of awe and wonder.

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Heschel in Ottawa 1967, Exploring Man Is Not Alone

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Joining the JTS Faculty I found Heschel's emphasis on the wonder that we are . . . profound. Dr. Joshua Furnal His words are as profound and meaningful in 2023 as they were in 1963. Dr. Shawn Parry-Giles
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Man’s Quest for God

Book Cover-Man's Quest for God, with brown blocks
Book Cover-Man's Quest for God with rainbow

Man’s Quest for God: Studies in Prayer and Symbolism (1954):

In this book, Heschel explores the profound aspects of prayer and religious symbolism. He delves into the human quest for a meaningful connection with the divine, examining the role of prayer as a spiritual discipline and the symbols that facilitate this dialogue.

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I, in turn, found deep inspiration in those words. Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann He was my spiritual father. Dr. Reuven Kimelman "No Religion is an Island" Invitation
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God in Search of Man

God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism (1955):

This book examines the dynamics of the human-divine relationship. Heschel explores the ways in which individuals can encounter God through prayer, ethical living, and religious commitment.

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His presentation of the unique Jewish foundation of the 'cathedral in time.' Michal Govrin Protest can be a form of prayer, heard both in the rhythm of the psalms and soles on pavement. Reverend Jamie Washam, PhD I have no doubt that my involvement in these same causes were because of his influence upon me. Rabbi Jim Lebeau
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The Prophets

Book Cover-The Prophets, two colors red and gold

The Prophets (1962):

Heschel offers a comprehensive study of the Hebrew prophets in this influential work. He highlights the prophetic call to social justice and ethical behavior, emphasizing the prophets’ role in challenging injustice and promoting a deeper understanding of God’s will. This work was adapted from his dissertation Das prophetische Bewuβstein (Prophetic Consciousness).

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The idea of revelation as a partnership to which both God and the people Israel make a contribution is at the core of Heschel's theology. Dr. Benjamin Sommer He was kind of a "Hassidic Rebbe" for us Rabbi Mijael Even David National Conference on Religion and Race
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Who Is Man?

Book Cover-Who is Man

Who Is Man? (1965)

Heschel reflects on the nature of humanity and the purpose of existence in this philosophical work. He discusses the unique qualities that distinguish humans from other beings and explores the ethical responsibilities that come with human existence.

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"The Spirit of the Prophet" Song "My Song," by Basya Schecter National Conference on Religion and Race