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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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The encounter vividly encompasses for me Heschel's remarkable qualities . . . not only his warmth, caring, humor, and humanity, but his insistence on rigorous and careful scholarship.  Rabbi Eli Schochet "My Song," by Basya Schecter The Insecurity of Freedom
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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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Heschel's life was a life of prophetic agitation in which he saw his role as pushing the Jewish community beyond their comfort zones. Rabbi Aryeh Cohen The Eternal Light Interview with Carl Stern Rabbi Heschel taught the Bible and linked it to our present time with effortless elegance.  Reverend Johnnie Moore
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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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Castle in Time Orchestra, "Prophets" He was given the gift of prophecy but also the gift of language to translate into human terms the divine concern. Rabbi Ernesto Yattah His thought illuminates my way and gives me hope that at the end of the tunnel, there is light. Dr. Dror Bondi
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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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The Spiritual Audacity of Abraham Joshua Heschel from "On Being" 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 Rabbi Heschel inspired me to start an online community and podcast. Emelda DeCoteau
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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 with ABC's Frank Reynolds Man Is Not Alone Heschel’s confidence in the power of the tradition was a constant example throughout his life. Rabbi David Wolpe
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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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If I wanted to be credible in my work toward societal justice, then it was essential that I make him one of my mentors. Rabbi Jack Moline He was kind of a "Hassidic Rebbe" for us Rabbi Mijael Even David It was my own encounter with Heschel’s writings as an adolescent and young adult that challenged me. Rabbi Simkha Weintraub
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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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Justice is the balance between created and creator! Itay Seith 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 Had it not been for him, I would have done less, cared less, thought less, lived less. Rabbi Michael Marmur, PhD
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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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In The Sabbath, Heschel attempts to reawaken the spirituality and holiness of the Sabbath, and impart the wisdom and gifts it can bring to those who observe the Sabbath. Rebecca Katz "Praying with Our Feet" Lapidus & Myles Fifty years later, we're in a place where dialogue is so difficult, and I celebrate Heschel who relished those moments and found many ways to be in conversation.   Rev Colin Bossen
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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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It was my own encounter with Heschel’s writings as an adolescent and young adult that challenged me. Rabbi Simkha Weintraub "Why We Pray With Our Feet: A Conversation with Cohosts Emelda and Trudy" "Divine Pathos" Sermon
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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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I found Heschel's emphasis on the wonder that we are . . . profound. Dr. Joshua Furnal An invitation to Sabbath keeping that was at once thoroughly Jewish but also universally available—and more than that, necessary for our survival. Rev. Wil Gafney, PhD I may not have been an actual classroom student of Heschel's, but I could, and did, stand on his shoulders.   Rabbi Jim Rudin