JUDAISM - heschel

Question 1

teachings

Answer 1

• post-holocaust revival of Judaism through his writings and deeds
• mysticism - increasing awareness of and relationship with God
• covenantal expression through peace and social action

Question 2

2 quotes for revival

Answer 2

• ‘Where was God?’, Heschel asked ‘where was man?’
• ‘the opposite of good is not evil, the opposite of good is indifference’

Question 3

explain revival 4

Answer 3

• 1939 and 1945 the number of Jewish adherents was basically halved from 14 to 8 million because their were killed but also many unsubscribed or lost faith in God’s abilities or practiced quietly in fear of persecution. 15.2 million Jews worldwide in 2021 according to the Jewish Agency for Israel
• Post WW2 the world became increasingly secular, especially with rapid advancement in technology, growing consumerism and increasing influence of the media, movements that shifted focus away from God and faith
• He regenerated the tradition, he strengthened modern Jews’ relationship with the key tenets of their faith such as love of God, Israel and Covenant
• Through his writings he illuminated rich, ancient traditions of Hasidic Jewish life, including beliefs, ethics and rituals.

Question 4

explain mysticism 6

Answer 4

• mysticism is an intellectual pursuit where one attempts to better understand and become more aware of God
• Divine Pathos: God wants to be in a relationship with humans, reminding individuals that they are God’s Chosen People
• Radical Amazement: becoming intoxicated with God, overcome by God’s greatness
• 3 ways to become more aware of God: creation, Torah’s revelation and good deeds, said Jews were looking for God in the wrong places and that they would see him here
• Heschel believes that the prophets are the ultimate model of authentic spirituality and that they demonstrate the prophetic vision of the will of God – justice, peace and righteousness
• He posed man’s anxiety and the ‘need to be needed’ is a desire to be in a relationship with God

Question 5

Heschel’s books 3

Answer 5

• Books: Man is not Alone, God in the Search of Man, Man’s Quest for God
• Man is not Alone: Examines how people will become more fulfilled if they become aware of God’s presence, no one is truly alone with God, it made Jews question their own proactivity in developing a relationship with God, perhaps they were just being passive and looking for God in the wrong places
• God in the Search of man: explores God searching and desiring to be in a relationship with man, the nature of religion isn’t a lonely man searching for God, God is also a search of man, he desires a relationship with them as the Chosen People

Question 6

explain social action3

Answer 6

• Heschel joined the protest march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 which highlighted racial injustice and protested against segregation
• Heschel was challenged for his submission to the laws however as this march occurred on Shabbat but he said the best expression of prayer was social action, the best way to live out the Covenant
• prominent model for Jews in their responsibilities to fulfil Tikkun Olam

Question 7

give 4 quotes for mysticism

Answer 7

• ‘how can the modern man regain a personal awareness of God?’ (poses challenging questions to adherents)
• “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 - Divine Pathos
• God means: No one is ever alone - Man is Not Alone
• “To men of faith He is the light.” - Man is Not Alone

Question 8

give 4 quotes for social action

Answer 8

• Studied the Prophets of the Tanakh, felt that they were an eternal call to social justice e.g. “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.” – Amos and “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” - Micah
• ‘that in a free society some are guilty but all are responsible’
• ‘Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.’ – Exodus 19:5
• ‘Legs are not lips and walking is not kneeling. And yet our legs uttered songs. Even without words, our march was worship. I felt my legs were praying’