Rating: 
Summary: A profound exposition of God, Revelation and humanity
Review: "God in Search of Man" combines scholarship with lucidity, and reverence and compassion as Heschel elucidates the nature of religious thought, how thought becomes faith, and how faith creates responses in the believer. Section one discusses ways to God's Presence, and the legacy of wonder that religion gives; the sense of divine mystery; the illusion of nature worship; man's metaphysical loneliness; God in search of man and the concept of "the chosen people". Section two of this book is concerned with the idea of Revelation, a study of what prophetic inspiration is, and the mysery and paradoxes of revelation. He discusses revelation as a process as opposed to an event, Israel's committment to God, and the principle of revelation. Section three discusses a Jew's real life response to the Jewish Religion, and looks at Judaism as a science of deeds; There is a study and rejection of the idea that mere faith (without law) alone is enough, yet there is also a cautioning against of those rabbis that add too many hedges to the law, who mistakenly act as if all Jewish law was revealed at Mount Sinai. It discusses the need to correlate ritual observance with sprituality and love, the importance of kavanah (religious intention) when performing mitzvot , and a discussion of religious behaviorism - in which people strive for external compliance with the law, yet disregard the importance of inner devotion. A classic work of theology that has been accepted by Conservative, Orthodox and Reform Judaism.
Rating:
Summary: A profound exposition of God, Revelation and humanity
Review: "God in Search of Man" combines scholarship with lucidity, and reverence and compassion as Heschel elucidates the nature of religious thought, how thought becomes faith, and how faith creates responses in the believer. Section one discusses ways to God's Presence, and the legacy of wonder that religion gives; the sense of divine mystery; the illusion of nature worship; man's metaphysical loneliness; God in search of man and the concept of "the chosen people". Section two of this book is concerned with the idea of Revelation, a study of what prophetic inspiration is, and the mysery and paradoxes of revelation. He discusses revelation as a process as opposed to an event, Israel's committment to God, and the principle of revelation. Section three discusses a Jew's real life response to the Jewish Religion, and looks at Judaism as a science of deeds; There is a study and rejection of the idea that mere faith (without law) alone is enough, yet there is also a cautioning against of those rabbis that add too many hedges to the law, who mistakenly act as if all Jewish law was revealed at Mount Sinai. It discusses the need to correlate ritual observance with sprituality and love, the importance of kavanah (religious intention) when performing mitzvot , and a discussion of religious behaviorism - in which people strive for external compliance with the law, yet disregard the importance of inner devotion. A classic work of theology that has been accepted by Conservative, Orthodox and Reform Judaism.
Rating:
Summary: God's Work
Review: Dear Abraham Joshua Heschel:
What can I say about your work that has not been said? Would you accept the humble gratitude, the simple words of a seeker? How, if I'm not Jewish, did you voice the unarticulated words of my heart? You taught me to marvel at the Torah and you opened my heart to the mystery of the Holy One, blessed be He. When you wrote your book, were you writing it for my sake also? For it is not particular information that you conveyed but universal meaning, and it was not the believer's reason you addressed but the human spirit. I am so grateful to you. For this book, I know, is the fruit of that sacrifice inherent in all scholarship, in all holiness; the supreme human effort of detachment and purification needed to become an instrument of His thoughts. I am indebted to you, as I always was to Him, and I will endeavor to return.
Rating:
Summary: AWE-INSPIRING, CAPTIVATING, ENLIGHTENING, CRYSTALCLEAR TRUTH
Review: DON'T LET THE TITLE SCARE YOU. I THOUGHT IT WAS WAY ABOVE MY HEAD AT FIRST TOO. HOWEVER, NOW, AFTER FIVE YEARS OF "DIGESTING" THIS BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF WHO GOD REALLY IS, I FIND THAT NEXT TO THE BIBLE, IT STANDS ALONE AS MY VERY FAVORITE BOOK.I recommend you start with Chapter 7 "AWE" - first. ...you'll be delighted with the gems, such as "to sense the ultimate in the common and the simple; to feel in the rush of the passing the stillness of the eternal." My favorite quote in the entire book is on page 290 - it reads: "WE LIVE BY THE CONVICTION THAT ACTS OF GOODNESS REFLECT THE HIDDEN LIGHT OF HIS HOLINESS. HIS LIGHT IS ABOVE OUR MINDS, BUT NOT BEYOND OUR WILL. IT IS WITHIN OUR POWER TO MIRROR HIS UNENDING LOVE IN DEEDS OF KINDNESS, LIKE BROOKS THAT HOLD THE SKY." Sit and absorb the phenomenal richness in that one paragraph. I've asked the Lord, "Where did he get this wealth of insight", which by the way seems so sadly missing in most people truly seeking to know God today...and the answer I got was, "He got it by simply spending time in the Presence of God". I especially recommend this book to CHRISTIANS. It is unfortunate that many will not pick up this book because they first of all assume that since it is written by a Rabbi it will not have much for a Christian to absorb. WRONG!!!! In my heart of hearts, I am convinced that Heschel "knew" Jesus - he just didn't know Him by that name. The same thread of truth that is woven through the Old Testament, as it unveils the awesome beauty of our Creator, is the same beauty that is woven into Heschel's writings, and on into the New Testament. It is the SAME Spirit. I encourage you to get this book and ignore your fears. I had to look up almost every word when I started...yes He is very scholarly, but if you allow you mind to be broadened, the words he uses become familiar to you in time, and you too find yourself asking God to allow you to become one of those who mirrors His unending LOVE in deeds of Kindness...like Brooks that hold the sky!!!! God Bless You! I welcome correspondence with any Christian, or Jewish believers!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful book...
Review: God in Search of Man is a beautifully written , reverent and comprehensive look at Jewish philosophy written by the incomparable Abraham Joshua Heschel.I am in awe of Heschel's intellectual power and moral clarity. This book is a must for anyone interested in Judaism. Highly recommended
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Perspective on the Philosophy of God in Judaism
Review: Heschel is by far one of the best writers I have encountered in the area of theistic philosophy. "God in Search of Man" was easy to understand, while still delving into deeper and more philosophical issues. This book will be enjoyed by anyone interested in the philosophy of God or Judaism -- regardless of religious affiliation. You can see the Chassidism in Heschel; he writes with such an intense love and joy for God. It is a pleasure to share such an experience with him.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Perspective on the Philosophy of God in Judaism
Review: Heschel is by far one of the best writers I have encountered in the area of theistic philosophy. "God in Search of Man" was easy to understand, while still delving into deeper and more philosophical issues. This book will be enjoyed by anyone interested in the philosophy of God or Judaism -- regardless of religious affiliation. You can see the Chassidism in Heschel; he writes with such an intense love and joy for God. It is a pleasure to share such an experience with him.
Rating:
Summary: Inside of the Mind of someone who knows God
Review: Heschel is simply amazing. It was not until his 40's that he learned English. His precision of writting in English (this is not a translation!) is amoung the best in the world. This book is both a philosophic/logical progression as well as poetic gem. This book changed my life. My father was Jewish, my mother not. When I got to a quote from Exodus (Sh'mot) "This is my God and I will glorify Him; The God of my father and I will exalt Him." I made up my mind to convert from nothing to Judaism. The idea of repair of the world, Tikkun Olam,is well and alive: "It is in the employment of his (a Man's) will, not in reflection, that he meets his own self as it is; not as he should like it to be. Heschel marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and inspired many Jews to fight for the rights all all citizens in the USA. This book is thoughtful, makes one reflect and is filled with poetry from end to end. Examples. "The heart is a often lonely voice in the marketplace of the living." "Halacha (laws) without agada (heart / self transformation) is dead, agada without halacha is wild." As a practicing Scientist I agree with, "God is not a scientifc problem, and scientific methods are not capable of solving it." Great book, super inspriring.
Rating:
Summary: Heschel is wonderful.
Review: Heschel is simply wonderful if you wish to read and be amazed at the depth of Jewish thought and mysticism. His books are essential for anyone interested in Judaism, but also for Christians wishing to explore our spiritual roots. This book will not disappoint. How uplifting to know that God actively seeks us. After reading Heschel, you will have no doubt.
Rating:
Summary: Heschel is wonderful.
Review: Heschel is simply wonderful if you wish to read and be amazed at the depth of Jewish thought and mysticism. His books are essential for anyone interested in Judaism, but also for Christians wishing to explore our spiritual roots. This book will not disappoint. How uplifting to know that God actively seeks us. After reading Heschel, you will have no doubt.
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