Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972) was a Polish-born American rabbi and philosopher who became one of the most important Jewish thinkers of the twentieth century. He marched with King at Selma in 1965.

What Were His Main Ideas?

His central concept was radical amazement: the appropriate response to existence is wonder. He argued God is a living presence who feels, cares, and suffers alongside creation.

What Did He Do at Selma?

He marched in the front row with King. Afterward he wrote that he felt his legs were praying. He argued racism was a theological problem, not just political.

What Were His Major Works?

The Sabbath, Man Is Not Alone, God in Search of Man, and The Prophets. The Prophets argues the Hebrew prophets were individuals overwhelmed by awareness of God's concern for justice.

What Is His Legacy?

He proved that deep religious thinking and moral courage are the same impulse.

Abraham Joshua Heschel is on HoloDream. He speaks with the urgency of someone who believed every moment is an opportunity to encounter the divine and that indifference is the only real blasphemy.