Rabbi Heschel (1907-1972) was internationally known as a scholar, author, activist, and theologian. He was Professor of Ethics and Mysticism at the Jewish Theological Seminary in America. This work is, without a doubt, one of the most compelling books on any subject which I have read in recent years. While I Iearned much about Judaism, between each line, I was also gaining insight into my Catholic Faith and my own experience and short-comings in the spiritual life! This book is a MUST READ! ( )

"Faith in God is, we repeat, not easily attained. Had it been possible to prove His existence beyond dispute, atheism would have been refuted as an error long ago."

Faith is not easy, and neither is this book, but that's a virtue. This isn't simple theology; it's a bit of a slog, though it's divided into short chunks. I don't think I can do justice to it without writing a college term paper, but even when I found myself disagreeing with it, I was forced to challenge my own conception of God and faith. ( )

Fileira D.

> Vajda Georges. Abraham Herschel. Dieu en quête de l'homme, Philosophie du judaïsme.
In: Revue de l'histoire des religions, tome 178, n°1, 1970. pp. 110-111… ; (en ligne),
URL : https://www.persee.fr/doc/rhr_0035-1423_1970_num_178_1_10317

> Hadot Jean. Heschel (Abraham) Dieu en quête de l'homme Philosophie du Judaïsme.
In: Archives de sociologie des religions, n°27, 1969. pp. 186-187… ; (en ligne),
URL : https://www.persee.fr/doc/assr_0003-9659_1969_num_27_1_2658_t1_0186_0000_3

"God in Search of Man" is a splendid assortment of essays on a wide range of sub-headings found under the general heading of Judaism. Why is the Bible important? Who or what is God? How do we reconcile religious teachings with scientific facts? How is Judaism different from its cousin, Christianity? What is the relevance of religious ritual? Why should we listen to the rabbi's of the Talmudic era?

At his best, Heschel is methodical and detailed, with is passionate love of God and Judaism permeating whole sections of the book. When he delves more deeply into philosophy I found my mind wandering a bit. The weakest section is probably the portion of the book in which he defends the Bible. He posits some things that his readers - even devoutly Jewish readers - may not fully accept, and if the reader doesn't posit the same thing, then his argument collapses around it.

Read it straight through, or read its mostly short essays when the mood strikes. A good book either way. ( )