Abraham Joshua Heschel

Date of Birth: January 11, 1907

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: December 23, 1972

Biography

Abraham Joshua Heschel was a prominent Jewish philosopher, theologian, and civil rights activist, born on January 11, 1907, in Warsaw, Poland. He was a descendant of preeminent Hasidic rabbis but pursued a modern education, studying at the University of Berlin and the Hochschule für die Wissenschaft des Judentums. Heschel fled the rise of Nazism in Germany, emigrating first to London and then to the United States in 1940. In the U.S., he joined the faculty of Hebrew Union College and later, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, where he became a leading figure in Jewish thought and philosophy. Heschel’s works explored themes such as the nature of God, the meaning of human existence, and the moral and ethical responsibilities of individuals and communities. Heschel was deeply involved in the American civil rights movement, marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and advocating for social justice and peace. His profound writings and activism made him a key figure in 20th-century religious thought.

5 Interesting Facts about Abraham Joshua Heschel

1. Heschel was a close friend and ally of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches.

2. He authored several influential books, including “Man Is Not Alone,” “God in Search of Man,” and “The Sabbath.”

3. Heschel was an outspoken critic of the Vietnam War, advocating for peace and justice.

4. His daughter, Susannah Heschel, is a notable scholar and professor of Jewish Studies.

5. Heschel’s philosophy emphasized the importance of wonder, awe, and radical amazement in experiencing the divine.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Abraham Joshua Heschel

1. “Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement.”

2. “When I marched in Selma, my feet were praying.”

3. “In a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible.”

4. “Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.”

5. “Above all, the prophets remind us of the moral state of a people: Few are guilty, but all are responsible.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

There is no public record of Abraham Joshua Heschel’s net worth. His contributions were primarily in the realms of philosophy, theology, and social activism rather than financial endeavors.

Children

Abraham Joshua Heschel had one daughter, Susannah Heschel, who was born in 1956. She is a renowned scholar and professor of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College. Susannah has continued her father’s legacy through her academic work and contributions to Jewish thought.