Description
Book SynopsisIn this first one-volume biography of Abraham Joshua Heschel in English, Edward K. Kaplan tells the engrossing, behind-the-scenes story of the life, philosophy, struggles, yearnings, writings, and activism of one of the twentieth-century’s most outstanding Jewish thinkers.
Trade Review"[An] admiring and detailed biography."—Adam Kirsch,
Wall Street Journal"The principal author of the definitive Heschel biography has distilled its two large volumes into one for a general readership. . . . Kaplan embeds Heschel's activism in his prolific writing career, affording a blazingly impressive portrait of what it means to be a public intellectual."—Ray Olson,
Booklist, starred review
"In
Abraham Joshua Heschel: Mind, Heart, Soul, Edward Kaplan gives us a beautiful and lucid guide to the most creative Jewish philosopher of religion of the twentieth century. . . . Kaplan eloquently captures Heschel’s life, personality, and the major themes in his writings. He presents the core of Heschel’s teaching by examining nearly all of his works. . . . Kaplan’s love for Heschel shines through. . . . I wholeheartedly recommend Kaplan’s book to anyone interested in [the] life and works of Abrahama Joshua Heschel."—Harold Kasimow,
Times of Israel"Kaplan takes the two-volume definitive Heschel biography and distills it to one very readable volume filled with Heschel’s activism and intellectualism."—
Reviews by Amos Lassen"Kaplan’s in-depth and multifaceted biography of Abraham Joshua Heschel does justice to this exemplary human being, thinker, activist and Jewish spiritual leader."—Claudia Moscvici, Literaturesalon’s Blog
"In
Abraham Joshua Heschel: Mind, Heart, Soul, author Edward K. Kaplan not only tells the life story of this great scholar, but also captures the essence of the recurring themes in Heschel's greatest works."—Jennifer MacNeil,
America Magazine“Edward K. Kaplan’s magisterial biography of the greatest Jewish prophetic figure of the barbaric twentieth century is a masterpiece! It is also incredibly timely. We need the wisdom, courage, and compassion of the inimitable Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. The very future of our world depends, in part, on the legacy of Heschel’s prophetic witness.”—Cornel West, Professor of the Practice of Public Philosophy, Harvard University
“I loved this book. Kaplan’s engaging, incisive biography brings alive Heschel’s extraordinary personality, theology, prophetic voice, and monumental contributions to Jewish thought, interfaith understanding, and the moral soul of America.
Abraham Joshua Heschel: Mind, Heart, Soul evokes a much richer and deeper understanding of this spiritual giant as it simultaneously rekindles the reader’s passion for the work of Jewish social justice.”—Rabbi David Saperstein, director emeritus, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
“In this wonderful distillation of many years of painstaking research, Ed Kaplan presents us with Heschel the man. Kaplan’s love for his subject is so clear, I anticipate readers will find the love contagious.”—Rabbi Shai Held, author of
The Heart of Torah: Essays on the Weekly Torah Portion “Edward Kaplan’s lucid biography of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel illuminates the profound contributions of one of the most outstanding religious figures of the twentieth century. . . . Heschel’s commitment to civil rights, opposition to the Vietnam War, and interreligious relations show us what inspired religious leadership looks like—leadership our world today desperately needs.”—Mary C. Boys, Dean Skinner and McAlpin Professor of Practical Theology, Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
Table of ContentsList of Photographs
Preface
Acknowledgments
Notes on This Volume
Part I. From Hasidism to Modernity
1. Hasidic Warsaw, 1907–1925
2. Vilna and Berlin, 1925–1931
3. Prophetic Inspiration and Hitler’s Rise, 1929–1935
4. Symbolic or Sacred Religion, 1935–1939
5. Struggling to Escape, 1938–1940
Part II. Theological Foundations in America
6. Becoming an American, 1940–1945
7. Rescuing the American Soul, 1945–1951
8. Theological Revolution, 1952–1956
Part III. Spiritual Activism
9. Biblical Prophecy and Current Events, 1956–1963
10. A Sacred Humanism, 1963–1966
11. Apostle to the Gentiles, 1961–1966
12. Civil Rights, Vietnam, and Israel, 1965–1969
13. Summation of a Life, 1970–1972
Epilogue
Notes
Note on Sources
Selected Bibliography
Index of Names
