Lost Prophets
#1. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (ft. Rabbi Shai Held)
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel's life's work exemplifies the importance of spirituality as a pathway to find God's presence in our lives.
- The conversation emphasizes the need to revitalize concepts like neighborliness and solidarity to combat feelings of disconnection in modern society.
- Reflecting on mid-20th century prophetic figures offers contemporary insights that can inspire renewed civic engagement and social responsibility.
- Heschel's activism highlights the vital connection between deeply held spiritual beliefs and proactive efforts against social injustices in today's fragmented world.
Deep dives
The Contemporary Crisis of Trust
In the mid-2020s, there is a significant erosion of trust in established systems and institutions, leading to widespread feelings of loneliness and cynicism among individuals. Many people feel disconnected from the communities they inhabit and do not perceive themselves as co-creators of societal structures. As a result, vital concepts such as neighborliness, solidarity, and democracy have become diluted over the years, causing a profound disconnection from the values they once embodied. The conversation highlights a sense of urgency for redefining these concepts and restoring faith in community and civic engagement.
Declining Hegemony and the Search for Answers
The notion of 'declining hegemony' captures the dissolution of conventional wisdom that defined public life in the earlier decades, which has led to an increase in cultural malaise and unanswered questions about the future. The disconnect from established answers has left people searching for direction, prompting a reevaluation of questions raised by earlier generations regarding community, the relationship with nature, and the design of societies. By looking back at thinkers from the mid-20th century, current generations can uncover insights to address the persistent challenges that remain unresolved today. This introspection acknowledges that while certain answers may seem outdated, the underlying questions continue to resonate in modern society.
Reviving the Language of Prophecy
The episode discusses an era characterized by deep inquiry and reflection on significant societal questions, marking a time when many influential thinkers emerged to provide radical, prophetic ideas. Figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Jane Jacobs offered comprehensive views on community and social responsibility, emphasizing the importance of not only questioning the status quo but also envisioning transformative solutions. The mid-century witnessed a confident idealism toward societal design, which has since devolved into a more technocratic and ideologically narrow approach, leading to a loss of grand vision in addressing contemporary issues. The conversation suggests a reevaluation of these prophetic figures to reclaim their insights and foster a renewed sense of hope and direction.
The Role of the Prophet in Society
The episode explores the essence of what it means to be a prophet and the qualities that define prophetic figures—from their ability to articulate the needs of society to their capacity for radical vision and critique. Prophetic figures challenge status quo norms and inspire others to reconsider their morals and ethics, serving as guides through societal turmoil. This role involves not just voicing dissent but also igniting hope and community action among individuals feeling lost in a complex world. Although these figures may face opposition from various ideological corners, their generation of dialogue remains critical for societal progress.
Reconnecting with Spirituality and Politics
The conversation delves into the concept of spiritual politics, emphasizing a reciprocal relationship between faith and public life that calls for deeper introspection and engagement in contemporary societal affairs. Heschel's interpretation of prophets as voices of moral clarity and spiritual urgency becomes a guiding principle for reimagining politics in a more compassionate framework. By recognizing that spirituality can inform political discourse, individuals can explore ways to address injustice with genuine empathy rather than mere rhetoric. This approach underlines the importance of navigating the complex terrain between tradition and modernity while ensuring ethical principles remain intact.
Learning from Historical Figures
By reflecting on the lessons from historical figures of the past, such as Abraham Joshua Heschel and others, we can draw connections between their insights and the challenges we now face. Heschel's activism, particularly in civil rights and anti-war movements, illustrates how deeply held spiritual convictions can spur individuals to take action against social injustices. The contrast between his prophetic voice and contemporary interpretations highlights the ongoing struggle for moral clarity in a society fraught with division and uncertainty. These historical reflections remind society of the need to reevaluate both past teachings and present actions in striving for a better future.
The Intersection of Tradition and Modernity
The dialogue emphasizes the critical exploration of how traditional values, such as community and faith, intersect with modern challenges, like technological advances and societal fragmentation. Heschel's principles emphasize the need for a renewed appreciation for these foundational elements, indicating that they can provide guidance in navigating today's complexities. The conversation underlines that while modernity presents new dimensions, grappling with historical wisdom can offer much-needed direction and meaning. Ensuring the continued relevance of these values can foster a more inclusive and conscious society, addressing both current crises and future aspirations.
The Continuing Influence of Prophetic Voices
The impactful themes discussed in this episode clarify the necessity for prophetic voices in addressing contemporary issues, prompting individuals to reevaluate their relationship with spirituality, community, and justice. Heschel's assertion that personal engagement with God is paramount not only highlights the connection between faith and ethics but also stresses the need for proactive engagement in societal matters. Through deep listening, appreciation, and an openness to surprise, individuals may revive the sense of wonder necessary for fostering profound connections with one another and the larger community. Ultimately, these reflections call for the embrace of diverse narratives to build a shared understanding of moral responsibility and collective action.
For our debut episode, we felt we could hardly find a better example of our theme than the life and work of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.
To recover the spirituality of Heschel is to re-enter a state of awe and wonder, especially if we recognize, as Heschel taught, that “God takes humankind seriously.” That is, we are not merely worshippers but also covenant partners in tikkun olam, the ancient notion of repairing the world.
An acclaimed interpreter of the Hebrew prophets, a popular theologian drawing on his own traditions of mystical Judaism, and an activist unafraid to plunge into both the Civil Rights movement and the protests against the war in Vietnam, Heschel exemplifies the “moral grandeur and spiritual audacity” he once exhorted President Kennedy to display in an urgent telegram.
In this debut episode, our guest is Rabbi Shai Held, author of The Call of Transcendence, a study of Heschel’s spirituality. His latest book is Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life.
In this conversation, Pete and Elias interview Rabbi Held about Heschel's influence on other mid-century prophets, his background in Hasidism, and his relationship with Martin Buber. The conversation delves into Heschel's views on American culture and militarism, as well as his interpretation of Exodus theology.
Some themes and takeaways from our conversation:
* Heschel’s view that God is everywhere: we search for his presence through a life of spirituality.
* The key ideas of radical amazement, spiritual audacity, moral grandeur — and Heschel’s emphasis on the importance of the capacity for surprise.
* Heschel’s memories of the warm humanity of Hasidic culture and his experience of growing up amidst people he could revere, concerned with problems of the inner life, spirituality, integrity.
* The prophet must first have been shattered himself/herself. Rather than focusing on thought palaces, the prophet takes us on tours of the slums, as Heschel put it.
* Heschel found himself in what he felt was a moral emergency rooted in a spiritual emergency. The ultimate and spiritual cause of the Shoah: distance from God, a lack of piety.
* What the prophets have discovered: that history can be a nightmare.
* The sanctity of time for the Jews—how to convert it to eternity.
* Heschel’s prophetic anti-militarism. A favorite question to provoke his students: “Nuclear weapons—are they kosher?”
* His view of education: “Reverence for learning and the learning of reverence”.
* His wonderful humor: “I’m an optimist—against my better judgement.”
* Heschel as a brilliant practitioner of mystagogy—he leads us into the mysteries.
* Religion should not be used as a mere accessory to preconceived political beliefs, he argued, but should guide and shape one's politics.
* Heschel's interreligious solidarity was bold and unapologetic, seeking to find common ground and learn from different religious traditions. “No religion is an island,” as he liked to say.
Episode Timestamps:
Introduction (00:00—15:52)
* Why a Podcast about “lost prophets”?
* Impact of the neoliberal “ice age” and our need to recover these mid-20th century thinkers
Heschel’s Background (15:52—29:29)
* His life and work
* Hasidic upbringing in Warsaw
* A move to America, eventual involvement in the burgeoning Civil Rights movement
Heschel’s Major Works (29:29—44:59)
* Overview of The Sabbath
* Discussion of The Prophets and his concept of divine pathos
* His critique of modern society and consumerism
Heschel and Civil Rights (44:59—1:01:00)
* His spiritual alliance with Martin Luther King Jr.
* Activism in the Civil Rights movement, then Vietnam anti-war movement
* His interfaith work
Interview with Rabbi Shai Held (1:01:00—2:01:10)
* Rabbi Held’s discovery of Heschel’s greater depths
* Exploration of his theology and views on prophecy
* Relationship between Heschel and Martin Buber
* The relevance of Exodus theology; views on American culture and militarism
* His relevance and legacy today, views on Judaism and love, the use of the term “prophetic”
Conclusion (2:01:24—end)
* Our key takeaways from the conversation
* Discussion of Heschel’s emphasis on wonder, surprise, and breaking through callousness
Recommended:
* The Prophets, A.J. Heschel (1962)
* The Sabbath, A.J. Heschel (1951)
* God In Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism, A. J. Heschel (1976)
* Spiritual Audacity, documentary film biography (2021)
* The Earth Is the Lord’s, A.J. Heschel (1995)
* Heschel’s Last Interview — YouTube (1972)
* A. J. Heschel: A Life of Radical Amazement, Julian Zelizer (2021)
* Abraham Joshua Heschel: The Call of Transcendence, Shai Held (2013)
* Judaism Is About Love, Shai Held (2024)
Many thanks to the great band NOBLE DUST, who provides the music for Lost Prophets. Their latest album A Picture for a Frame is here.
[Note: This episode and interview was recorded in December 2023, in the early months of Israel’s invasion of Gaza, a topic we will return to in more depth in a later episode.]
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