Abraham Heschel's classic work, originally published in 1965, now with a new Introduction by noted Jewish theologian David Hartman, examines questions of faith, divinity, self-sufficiency, and other basic tenets of Judaism, confirming Reinhold Niebuhr's belief that Heschel is "a commanding and authoritative voice not only in the Jewish community but in the religious life of America".
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
The best introduction to Heschel:
Fritz Rothschild, the editor of this anthology of Heschel's varied writings, was a colleague and friend of Heschel's at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Rothschild became the foremost interpreter of Heschel's thought by 1959 when he first published "Between God and Man," containing selections from Heschel's major books and articles preceded by the editor's lucid and systematic introduction to Heschel's life and thought. "Between God and Man" remains the best introduction to Heschel, a foundation for Heschel... more info
An excellent introduction into Jewish religious thinking!:
One must hang on one's lips when a wise Jew is talking about God. It is as if Einstein is speaking abou physics, Mozart composing music, van Gogh painting. Read carefully and with open heart!
Reality & Checks:
Many, many years have passed since I was assigned to read this book in college. It makes me laugh when I reflect on that which we read in class to develop "critical thinking" skills and how much more it all resonates once we experience life and gain smarts that don't come from classrooms and the regurgitation of facts. I pulled this book out recently. I had marked up many passages, but I'll try to stay focused in this "review", which is really a commentary. In particular, I believe that the passage... more info
Mysticism and Monotheism:
Heschel's interpretation of Judaism is that of MYSTICISM AND MONOTHEISM, the ineffable and unexplainable, the allusiveness that can only point us to the inner certainty of God. Heschel is a substantial writer and skilled in both analogy and description. And ultimately, in defining Jewish wisdom in words, is that which cannot be as defined in words as calculable and systematic, but rather as a direction to be pointed. And this is what you will find in most non-fundamental wisdom. It is here that... more info
