The Abraham J. Heschel Center for Catholic-Jewish Relations at the Catholic University of Lublin, in cooperation with the Publishing House of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, has published “Essential Writings” by Abraham Joshua Heschel. The contents of the book were selected and provided with an introduction by the daughter of the Center's patron, Prof. Susannah Heschel.
“Essential Writings” by A.J. Heschel is available for free in the repository of the Catholic University of Lublin:https://tiny.pl/3gnq1s-n
“I dedicate this book to my father's beloved and devoted nieces, Thena Heschel Kendall (London) and Pearl Heschel Twersky (New York), who are the continuators of the splendor and nobility of the Heschel family,” - S. Heschel wrote.
The publication was created with funding from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and is a selection of the most outstanding writings of the eminent philosopher and thinker that A.J. Heschel was. Most of them were published during the author's lifetime, but some appear in print for the first time. These are, as the daughter of the Center's patron tells us, fragments of his handwritten notes, found in documents, real treasures of insightful knowledge.
The thoughts, and writings that constitute the content of the publication are timeless, universal in nature. They deal with issues such as opposition to war, the inner need for prayer, interreligious dialogue. The book also contains elements of the biography of the Jewish philosopher and theologian: life in Poland, Berlin, the USA. We can read about his relations with Christians - they were close and personal, which made them something uncommon at the time: " My father never treated Christian scholars of Jewish texts condescendingly, but had intense discussions with them about rabbinical ideas. From Christians he expected [...] respect, affirmation, social support. He sought topics that unite us, not divide us."
“A Selection of Writings” also recalls A. J. Heschel's meetings with Pope Paul VI and cooperation with the Vatican during the Second Vatican Council on the issue of Catholic-Jewish relations. “My father met with various Vatican officials, both in New York and in Rome, although he was often sharply attacked by some of his Jewish colleagues,” - writes S. Heschel.
Finally, the book is the collected thoughts of the philosopher-theologian, in the form of longer and shorter notes, essays and reflections on phenomena, events, spirituality and human behavior. “Essentail Writings” is a philosophical reflection on the most important topics concerning God and the believer, his spiritual life and personal relationship with God. It draws from Jewish philosophy and spirituality, giving the Polish reader a glimpse into a little-known (or even unknown) Jewish perspective on the most important religious topics. “Honesty, authenticity, righteousness without love can lead to the ruin of other people, of man himself,” said the patron of our Center, Rabbi Professor Abraham Joshua Heschel.
The thoughts, writings of this outstanding theologian, philosopher and poet, who played a particularly important role during the Second Vatican Council, influencing the shape of the Nostra Aetate document, we are passing on in the form of a book, which is and can be a signpost for Christians, for Jews, for everyone who seeks wisdom for life." - emphasizes the director of the Abraham J. Heschel Center for Catholic-Jewish Relations at the Catholic University of Lublin, Father Dr. Pawel Rytel-Andrianik, who is also head of the Polish section of Vatican Radio - Vatican News. “What defines our mission is the building of Catholic-Jewish relations on the level of science, education and culture in the international dimension, and the publication of the latest book is part of this activity,” - adds the center's director.
Abraham Joshua Heschel is undisputedly one of the most prominent representatives of modern Jewish thought, and in a broader sense, one of the best-known philosophers of religion in the United States and beyond. The so-called “depth theology” he developed has become an inspiration for Jewish and Christian theologians. It is safe to say that all of Heschel's work is both theology and anthropology.
“Essential Writings” by Abraham J. Heschel is another publication that has been published thanks to the Center's activities. So far, as part of the unit's work, the following have been published: "They Even Killed the Children. The Ulmas, a Family of Martyrs, Who Helped the Jews“ (Manuela Tulli, Fr. Pawel Rytel-Andrianik), a two-volume monograph ”Wartime Rescue of Jews by the Polish Catholic Clergy" by attorney Ryszard Tyndorf.
Task commissioned by the Minister of Science “Abraham J. Heschel Center for Catholic-Jewish Relations” - subsidized from the State Budget - Ministry of Science and Higher Education, contract no. MEiN/2023/DPI/2884 of 12.10.2023.
Monika Stojowska / The Abraham J. Heschel Center, KUL
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Wroclaw 2024.10.01
Rev. PROF. DR HAB. MARIUSZ ROSIK
Pontifical Faculty of Theology in Wroclaw
Editorial review of the book Abraham Joshua Heschel – Essentail Writings
(selected and with an introduction by Susannah Heschel)
Born in Warsaw in 1907 and deceased in New York in 1972, Abraham Joshua Heschel is regarded (and rightly so) as one of the greatest modern Jewish thinkers. Coming from a family of Hasidic rabbis, the writer contributed much to the philosophy and theology of Judaism. His scholarly path began during his rabbinical studies in Warsaw, and then led through philosophical studies in Berlin, the Academy of Judaic Studies in Frankfurt am Main, Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, and ended at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. His research work touches on the books of the Bible and commentaries on the classical books of Judaism, Kabbalah or the psychology of religion. The scope of Heschel's interests also extends to the relationship between Judaism and Christianity. His thought in this aspect significantly influenced the final form of the Second Vatican Council's declaration Nostra aetate. This document was devoted to a discussion of the Catholic Church's attitude to non-Christian religions, including Judaism in the first place.
Dedicated to the author's nieces, the book was preceded by an interesting and beautifully emotional introduction by Susannah Heschel, the author's daughter. The introduction is prefaced by “Acknowledgements” to those who in some way contributed to or influenced the publication of the book; the list is long. In the introduction, Susannah presents a biography of her father, beginning with his youthful years spent in Poland, through his period of studies in Germany and his long years in the United States. She devotes much space to Abraham Joshua Heschel's relations with Christians, especially his meetings with Pope Paul VI and Cardinal Bea. Also of great value is the mention of the friendship and long collaboration of the author's father of the introduction with Martin Luther King. Not insignificant was Heschel's involvement in political life, which he always treated as a duty flowing from spirituality.
The publication contains six comprehensive chapters bearing the following titles: If you want to know God, sharpen your sense of what it means to be human; Prophecy is the voice God lends to silent agony; God is not silent. He has been silenced; In the realm of the spirit, only he who is a pioneer can be an heir; Prayer makes us worthy of salvation; God either has supreme value or I have none. Each of the above chapters contains several of Heschel's essays, the content of which is closely related to the very thoughtful titles of these chapters.
The proposed structure of the text seems logical and does not raise any objections. Heschel's language is extremely vivid and dynamic. Yes, it is scientific language, but that of a scientist working with passion. It is true that the reading draws you in, but in the case of the Polish reader this merit cannot be attributed to Heschel alone. The skilled pen of the translator plays a considerable role in this case. The conclusions in the individual essays are formulated in an understandable and competent manner; they are well argued and justified in content. They are distinguished by the logicalness of the argument. They result directly from the research conducted, and are not, as sometimes happens, too far-fetched or without basis in the research conducted.
However, more important than the language of the publication remains its substantive content. The selection of these and not other writings, from the author's wide range of publications, remained a challenge. Susannah Heschel met this task brilliantly. She grouped the collected works into thematic groups and composed the work in such a way that it seems to have been written as an indivisible whole from the very beginning. There is no doubt that Abraham Joshua Heschel was one of the most influential Jewish thinkers of the 20th century, and his works focused on many aspects of Judaism, including theology, ethics, religious philosophy and the relationship between religion and society.
In the first chapter, the author raises the question of God, but through the lens of humanity. He explores the relationship between man and God, focusing on religious and spiritual experience; he emphasizes the importance of personal experience of God and the emotional aspect of faith.
The second chapter is devoted to the issue of prophecy in its broadest sense. The author dealt with this issue in a comprehensive work, entitled Prophets, also published in Polish (Abraham Joshua Heschel, Prophets, transl. A. Gorzkowski, Esprit Publishing House, Krakow 2014, pp. 816). Heschel attached great importance to the figure of the prophets, whom he understood as people deeply involved in the struggle for justice and truth. In his writings, the prophet turns into a symbol of the individual's moral duties to society and to God: "First of all, the prophets remind us of the moral state of the nation: Some are guilty, but all are responsible. If we acknowledge that the individual is to some extent conditioned or shaped by the spirit of society, the offense of the individual reveals the corruption of society. "In the first chapter, the author poses a question about God, but through the lens of humanity. He examines the relationship between man and God, focusing on religious and spiritual experience; he emphasizes the importance of personal experience of God and the emotional aspect of faith.
The third chapter deals with the mystery of God, who is not silent, but has been silenced by those who refuse to listen to His voice. The author proves critical of modern materialism and commercialized society. He calls for finding meaning in spiritual life and fighting for ethical values.
The fourth chapter is devoted to issues of personal faith, which, however, should be socially engaged. Only then can it fulfill its function if the personal reference to God and the bond with Him transform society, rather than touching only the private sphere. Heschel argues that this is the role not only of Judaism, but of all religions: "The religions of the world are no more self-sufficient, no more independent and no more isolated from each other than are individuals or nations. The forces, experiences and ideas that come to life beyond the boundaries of a particular religion or all religions continue to challenge and influence every religion."
Chapter five of the selection of writings focuses on the issue of prayer. The author sees it as a fundamental element of spiritual experience, which not only enables contact with God, but also acts as a tool for inner transformation and reflection on one's own life: "Prayer is a concentration of the soul. It is the totality of the soul in a single moment, the quintessence of all our actions, the culmination of all our thoughts." Heschel appreciates the importance of prayer in the context of community. Collective prayer, such as prayers in the synagogue, allows for a communal experience of faith and the strengthening of bonds between people. Praying together becomes a source of strength for the entire community.
Finally, the last chapter of the book emphasizes the supreme position of God in the whole hierarchy of values of the believer. Hence, probably, the final eschatological emphasis: "Eternity is not a perpetual future, but a perpetual presence. He has planted in us the seed of eternal life. The world to come is not only the hereafter, but also the here and now." What sets Heschel apart from other Jewish thinkers of his time? It's probably his ecumenical approach to religion and his active involvement in social issues. He was an active participant in the struggle for civil rights in the United States, working in movements for social justice. His openness to cooperation with representatives of different religions and traditions made him a special figure in the history of Jewish thought. He consciously combined deep reflection on spirituality with social activism, creating a unique combination of theology and ethics. All these qualities shine through almost every page of the publication that is being prepared for publication. May it appear on the Polish publishing market as soon as possible, enriching it with the ever-present religious and social thought of Abraham Joshua Heschel.
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Gniezno, 02.10.2024
Rev. Dr. Waldemar Szczerbiński, Prof. UAM
Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
Institute of European Culture
Editorial review of the book: Abraham Joshua Heschel, Essential Writings
Selected and with an introduction by Susannah Heschel, pp. 210.
To understand and appreciate Heschel's work, it is necessary to realize the situation in which modern man finds himself. Currently, one can see two increasingly polarizing trends. One of them is the departure from religion, the disappearance of the values that are considered religious on a societal scale. They are becoming less and less of a determinant of human life on a personal and social level. On the other hand, there is a movement of expanding the social field of religion - the return or building from scratch of religiosity - which sometimes has the character of a real explosion. These two diverse approaches presuppose a different view of man, a different anthropology. The first current is associated with seeing man as constantly becoming, not having a fixed form that would allow one to read the right way of existence, objectively determining the way of action, the value and normativity of which in a fundamental dimension is independent of consciousness and freedom. Accordingly, it is man (and not God) who is treated as the creator of values and the creator of value criteria, as well as the truth about man, the good and the world. The second current captures man in his primordial framework, in his humanity, given to each person regardless of consciousness and will, but as incomplete or imperfect. The shape of the human being's fulfillment here depends on action. Moral truth, although captured by consciousness and realized in freedom, is not dependent on man in its content, but the realization of this truth depends on his actions. Taking into account the above distinction, when reading Heschel's works it is important to remember that he definitely belongs to the second trend.
Abraham Joshua Heschel is undisputedly one of the most prominent representatives of modern Jewish thought, and in a broader sense, one of the best-known philosophers of religion in the United States and beyond. The so-called “depth theology” he developed has in turn become an inspiration for Jewish and Christian theologians. It is safe to say that all of Heschel's work is both theology and anthropology. The problem of man is the essential core of all Heschel's works, and according to Friedman, it is “the most comprehensible and convincing achievement of his philosophy” [M. Friedman, Abraham Joshua Heschel Among Contemporary Philosophers: From Divine Pathos to Prophetic Action, “Philosophy Today” 18(1973), p. 299]. In Heschel's own opinion, this topic seems to be the most important, especially in education. This is evidenced by his words: “If you asked me what I would teach first [...] I would say, teach the concept of man” [Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity, ed. S. Heschel, New York 1996].
Until the 1990s, Abraham Joshua Heschel was relatively unknown in Poland, or if he was, then only to a narrow circle of biblical scholars. There was also no Polish translation of books written by him. It is difficult to find any Polish studies at that time that would discuss the work of this Jewish thinker. It was not until 1994 that Henryk Halkowski translated the small in size but extremely important book “Shabbat” into Polish (Atext Publishing House). Since then, the situation has changed dramatically. Today we already have several of Heschel's works that have lived to see translation into Polish: “Man Is Not Alone,” “Man Seeking God,” “God Seeking Man,” “The Prophets,” and the anthology of spiritual wisdom “I Asked for a Miracle” with an introduction by Samuel H. Dresner. The first Polish-language scholarly study of Heschel's philosophy was my publication “Abraham Joshua Heschel's Philosophy of Man” (Editors of the Publications of the Catholic University of Lublin, Lublin 2000). The reviewed publication is therefore a publishing continuation of Heschel's achievements in Poland, where the Rabbi was born and spent many years of his life. It will thus appear as another source for researchers, for whom a Jewish thinker of such great stature appears as an authority in the fields of theology, philosophy and so-called Jewish Studies.
How did the English-language book, which in its Polish-language version is the subject of review, come about in the first place? Heschel's daughter Susannah was asked by Robert Ellsberg, then director of Orbis Book, to edit a publication that would encapsulate the main themes of her father's message in a condensed form. The mission of this publishing house is to explore the dimensions of faith, create a climate of dialogue and serve the cause of reconciliation and peace. This fact alone testifies to the fact that Heschel is counted among the outstanding modern thinkers whose work far exceeds the boundaries of their own religion and culture, becoming a source of inspiration for all who seek the truth about God, man and the world. The first edition of this collection of selected and relevant texts from Heschel's works took place in Maryknoll, NY in 2011.
The reviewed publication is the Polish version of this American book, which contains selected texts by Heschel from his vast legacy. This selection was made by Susannah Heschel, for whom her father's works are a precious gift and a challenge at the same time. Susannah is well acquainted with the entire oeuvre of her father, understands the intuitions of individual statements, and is an eyewitness to the creation of the various texts around which discussions took place in the family home. From this comes her remarkable competence to connect the selected fragments with each other and place them in the right order and context. In addition, she is not only the daughter of her illustrious father, but also an independent researcher, who, while promoting her father's thought, conducts her own scientific research. It should be noted, however, that she was not alone in this choice of texts. As she herself admits in the introduction to the book, she was advised and assisted in this regard by: Robert Erlewine and Dora Bondi. These two scholars of Heschel's work are considered experts in his philosophy and theology. As Susannah stated, “they are the most insightful and sensitive interpreters of my father's thought.” In light of the above, I have no doubt that the selection of these rather than other passages for publication is justified, pertinent and logical. These texts should be considered the most relevant and representative. They come from the following works by Heschel: “God in Search of Man,” “The Insecurity of Freedom,” “Israel: An Echo of Eternity,” “Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity,” “Man is Not Alone,” “Man's Quest for God,” “A Passion for Truth,” and "The Prophets.”
As one can easily see, most of the selected passages of the item under discussion have been previously published in the works mentioned above, but not all. Some appeared for the first time in this very volume. These are excerpts from Heschel's handwritten notes, which his daughter found and edited. This is a very important piece of information, which testifies to a certain novelty and originality of the undertaking. It is not insignificant that the vast majority of the source materials from which specific passages were taken, and which are written in English, have no translations into Polish. This speaks all the more in favor of the need to publish this volume.
The texts presented were collected in a thoughtful way and compiled around the following themes: 1) If you want to know God, sharpen your sense of what it means to be human; 2) Prophecy is the voice of God expressed in silent agony; 3) God is not silent. He has been silenced; 4. In the realm of the spirit, only he who is a pioneer can be an heir; 5. Prayer makes us worthy of salvation; 6. God either has supreme value or no value at all. Of value in itself is Susannah Heschel's extensive introduction. It contains a biography of the Rabbi, presents his relationship with Christians, discusses his involvement in political and social life, and shows his extraordinary concern for the shape and role of religion in the modern world. This introduction is a very interesting and probably even necessary introduction and commentary to the texts presented, which certainly facilitates their understanding and meaning.
The reviewed work is a translation of a book written in English. However, there is no information on who the translator is (did I miss it?). I am sure that the publisher will take care of this and it is a simple oversight. I would like to emphasize that in this publication we are dealing with a new translation into Polish even those passages that already have earlier translations, such as “God looking for man” (translated by Albert Gorzkowski), “Man is not alone” (translated by Katarzyna Wojtkowska). This is another advantage of the book. It will allow one to compare translations (where possible) and see nuances, and there are some. In the opinion of critics, Heschel remained a master of the pen. His works are awe-inspiring not only because of his immense erudition and wisdom, but also because of the beauty of his language. Heschel was aphoristic and poetic in form, and emotional and stimulating in style. While this satisfies the reader's expectations perfectly, it makes the analysis of his oeuvre much more difficult, and certainly a challenge for any translator.
In conclusion, I recommend the book under review and express my delight at yet another publication authored by Abraham Joshua Heschel. Its value and originality lies in the collection of texts according to a suitable key, which focuses the most relevant problems concerning God and man. I am sure that reading the volume under review will inspire every reader (not only theologians and philosophers) to further follow the path of Heschel's work and become an opportunity for personal search for answers that bother people, regardless of national, cultural or religious affiliation. Professor Marty of the University of Chicago, in assessing Heschel's oeuvre, stated: “Rabbi Heschel's works, not like the works of other philosophers, are aimed not only at the mind, but also at the heart and the will.”
It is difficult to disagree with him.
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