Abraham Joshua Heschel
- Born:
- January 11, 1907, Warsaw, Poland, Russian Empire
- Died:
- December 23, 1972, New York City, New York, USA
- Nationality:
- Polish (until 1938), American
- Profession(s):
- Rabbi, Theologian, Philosopher, Professor
Early Life and Education
- Born into a prominent Hasidic rabbinical family.
- Received traditional Jewish education in Poland.
- Studied at the University of Berlin and the Hochschule für die Wissenschaft des Judentums, earning a doctorate.
- Emigrated to the United States in 1940, escaping the Holocaust.
Career and Major Achievements
- Taught at Hebrew Union College (1940-1945).
- Professor of Jewish Ethics and Mysticism at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (1945-1972).
- Actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement, marching with Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma.
- A vocal opponent of the Vietnam War.
- Focused on the nature of religious experience, the relationship between God and humanity, and social justice.
Notable Works
- Man Is Not Alone: A Philosophy of Religion (1951)
- God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism (1955)
- The Sabbath (1951)
- The Prophets (1962)
- Who Is Man? (1965)
Legacy and Impact
Abraham Joshua Heschel's theological and philosophical writings continue to influence contemporary religious thought and social activism. He emphasized the importance of awe and wonder in religious life and the need for ethical action in the world. The leatrice gilbert fountain biography of abraham will certainly delve deeper into his intellectual contributions and impact on future generations of theologians and activists. His commitment to social justice, particularly during the Civil Rights era, cemented his legacy as a moral voice for his time.