"There is a renewal of prejudice which is a poison. As a person committed to biblical faith I would say what keeps mankind alive is the certainty that we have a father. Then I suppose we have to remember that God is either the father of all men, or of no men. The idea of judging a person in terms of black or brown, or white, is an eye disease.” 10:49
This interview makes me cry. There just aren't people like Heschel alive anymore. He is something of a modern day prophet, and he possessed such insight into our traditional texts and the wisdom of our Sages. We lack religious leaders like him today -עליו השלום.
I am currently in the process of converting to Judaism, and through all my study, nothing has shaken me to my core and brought me to tears like the words of Rabbi Heschel. He speaks exactly of the Gd I know and love. May his memory be a blessing!
wonderful, inspiring talk helping to remind us that Judaism - and all authentic religion - can still be a vibrant force for helping us live more fully, more joyously and more responsibly. Thank you for uploading!
His book "The Prophets" is one of the most influential spiritual books I've ever read. I'm an Orthodox Christian, and I consider his book to be the best commentary on Old Testament prophetic literature.
@@מאירדהן1 I didn't say that. What I meant was that a Christian's view of Judaism does not "make" Judaism anything and the reverse is also true. It is not another's view that determines what truth is because many times our individual views are skewed and for varying reasons. Rabbi Heschel respected the passion of others for their differing faith traditions. It is my hope that we would all treat each other with that same respect.
I'm glad that the Jews I've known have been loving people and would never come here just to belittle the faith of another like you've purposely done from your first reply to someone who was just trying to show love and respect for another person. I'm also glad my faith encourages us to be kind and giving even to the point of giving our lives for others like Casper Ten Boom and many other Christians who did that for many of Europe's WWII Jews. And that is only one example of Christians who have actually done what my faith that you call cruel teaches. Write what you will. I will not read anything else that you write since you're only purpose apparently is to attack another's faith. The truth is though, as much as you've tried to hurt me with unwarranted and ignorant accusations, I pity you. It must be miserable to go thru life looking for ways to hurt others. I've heard it said that hurt people hurt people. For that you have my sincerest sympathy. I hope you find peace.
I'm currently a Catechumin in Orthodox Christianity. I've studied Judaism intensely and have seen the Chasidic theology to be very present in the New Testament. Abraham Joshua Heschel and Chasidism have influenced me far beyond anyone else. I think of him as a spiritual father. This is how much he has influenced me.
His children and childrens children are truly blessed to have this man of such richness wisdom and insight he has left them a most excellent heritage. thankyou for posting this my life is enriched . Thanks to the interviewer excellent
A modern day prophet who teaches that we don't need textbooks but textpeople. He himself was such a textperson and was able to combine pray with his legs. May his memory be blessed.
what a remarkable human being he was, his legacy will live live on today and tomorrow. I am very grateful to listen to the incredible interllect of our time
08:36 the greatest challenge to all activities is the encounter with absurdity. 08:54 what is the meaning of God? There's a meaning beyond mystery. Holiness conquers absurdity. Without holiness we would sink in absurdity. 09:15 where is holiness? In the Bible? - i don't believe in monopoly 11:01 what keeps mankind alive is the certainty we have a father The idea of judging a person in terms of races, black, white and so on, is an eye disease. "I am an optimist against my better judgement" 12:23 a prophet is a man who can hold God and man in one thought, in one time. Whatever I do to men, I do to God. 14:21 prophets had to be involved in the affairs of suffering men. 16:37 some are guilty, all are responsible. 18:00 the greatness of man is that he faces problems A person without problem is an idiot 19:47 tragedy of our education today is giving easy solutions, peace of mind 20:34 it's will of God there are more than one religion 23:45 religion is in a weakened condition - responsibility is not just of the authorities 25:19 "self-deception is a major passion in human life" 26:20 there's a will to disbelieve 27:00 interests and needs 27:19 today "all is around self interest" is a fallacy according to religion, otherwise love couldn't exist, if love is about self interest is not love, but pretence 27:45 man should have ends, not only need 27:58 great task of religion is to teach people how to convert ends into needs!!!... Instead of needs into ends. 28:10 Needs are unreliable as a standard, as some are authentic, some are false. Look at advertisement. 29:08 we have to satisfy our true needs, but also have ends 29:56 men seems left without friends in the world, as books are full of contempt 31:07 "the deepest passion in any real human person, is the craving for meaning of existence" 32:20 it's God's business what to do with me after life - here it's my business what to do with my life 34:53 life is a celebration. Entertainments (addictions) are destroying much of initiative and weakens our imagination. Man needs exaltation, moments of celebration.
I believe he is somewhat of an existentialist theologian. The way he posits meaning above all else, even by saying it is god who needs man, in a supreme act of summing to carry out the Good desire in the world. Man's meaning is enacted through virtue and the desire for the good but more importantly for the desire for meaning and a meaningful existence and experiences.
totally agree with you, this extraordinary Man, this very rare and wise human is an example for every living person, every human being. If only we had many like him talking to our new generations everywhere today. i am not from his tradition ? so what ? his Faith is not different than mine. i Love him and i am in awe of him and his wisdom, because i see in him the Divine spark which our creator has put in each of us when he created our souls. I try to read all his books and listen to all his recorded speeches and interviews.
Great! I was also bowled over by him and bought 7 of his books about 3 years ago after I discovered my ancestors were Sephatdic Jews from Southern Italy but lost this connection due to the Inquisition and being forced to Catholicism and I decided to reconnect with my deepest Jewish self and I found Heschel amazingly beautiful and wise and challenging. Best of luck to you as you're adding this to your wisdom.
very glad to feel that for me, his example, and, but beyond words, supports us all being seriously more human. deep gratitude for such a life.... forever...
Listening to Rabbi Heschel makes me realize that he never read about Prophet Muhammad SAW or even had the privilege of reading the Quran! Surat Muhammad 47:7 'Intansur laha Yansurkum' which means if you support Allah he.will support you'these words. resonate with this man
As a half Jew who is the daughter of a rabbi, who is an agnostic-atheist, I absolutely love Rabbi Abraham Heschel’s philosophy, definitely a man of honor indeed.
Hello, I'm interested in extracting a clip for an inspiration video that I am creating. Who would be the best person to contact for permission? Thank you!
Comment 105: Like someone's dissertation at Yale? Really? Wow. Where is the divine dimension? Did they bankrupt their loan on life and decide to sell it? 3:43 pm CST June 16, 2022 Charity Colleen Crouse Not for sale. Life is not about "social entrepreneurship."
from 11:30 onwards , what Mr. Heschel was talking about prophet is a very good definition of a Bodhisattva en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva . Philosophical Daoist learnings needs to be more ubiquitous in Western philosophical school; then they will have less difficulty in articulating this kind of thoughts!
Heschel, Finkelstein, Saul Lieberman, Louis Jacobs et al were Orthoprax but their students were not. Whereas Rav Soloveitchik, Rav Kotler, Rav Feinstein, Rav Kametsky, Rav Ruderman's students were Orthoprax and passed the Talmud on to the next generation.
Finkelstein was the rabbi of Congregation Kehillath Israel in the Bronx, which was an Orthodox shul with a mechitza. Rabbi Asher Siev served as Finkelstein's assistant rabbi before taking over as spiritual leader. Lieberman was also Orthodox. He had nothing to do with the Conservative ideology. Even the theory of the Stam voice, now universally accepted in the world of non-Orthodox Talmudic studies, was considered by Lieberman to be nonsense. And Lieberman's wife Judith was dean of the Shulamith School for Girls, an Orthodox girls' yeshiva. Heschel used to daven at the Gerrer Shtiebel on the Upper West Side while also attending the traditional minyan at JTS as a courtesy.
I liked when he stated a person that sees race has a eye desease ! I have always said their are different cultures not different races. The best example I know is many years ago Tony Brown talk show host stated he once worked with a man that was what our society would call black, the man though no fault of his own was raised in a white culture in north dakota. Tony said it was funny it was like talking to a white man. This was the culture of the gentleman.
My high regard for Rabbi Heschel makes me pause to say that his understanding of prayer is profoundly flawed - but it is. But his understanding of moral grandeur is superlative.
