Holiness in Words: Abraham Joshua Heschel's Poetics of Piety (Suny Series in Judaica : Hermeneutics, Mysticism, and Religion)

A strategy for reading Heschel's major works, as well as a new route to understanding religious writing in general: a lucid study of modern religious and ethical thought using literary criticism. "A brilliant, and at the same time, moving, and deeply personal interpretation of the works of one of the greatest religious thinkers of this century. By skillfully analyzing Heschel's rhetoric and mastery of language--his 'poetics of faith'--Edward Kaplan acts as a guide to Heschel's writings for the specialist as well as the general reader, for Jew as well as non-Jew. Holiness in Words enables us to see that what Heschel wrote of scripture applies to his own works: '...the words became a live wire charged with His spirit.'" -- Eva Fleischner, Professor Emerita, Montclair State University "Once again--and in a new way--the theological and moral nuances of Heschel's spiritual passion can be heard. Kaplan has set our ear to sounds long-forgotten or never known. His work is no deposit of academic travail, but exemplifies scholarship as service in the highest sense. "A lifetime of listening has gone into the making of this book. Over many years, Edward Kaplan has contributed careful and perceptive studies on Heschel's poetic rhetoric, on his understanding of prophecy and prophetic consciousness, and on the moral life and its relationship to mysticism and transcendence. They are now put to the service of a full-scale exposition of Heschel's thought and spiritual orientation." -- From the Foreword by Michael Fishbane Holiness in Words: Abraham Joshua Heschel's Poetics of Piety is both an introduction to reading Heschel's works in English, and an in-depth study of the way his literary style can transform the consciousness of readers. Heschel's life and works respond to the contemporary crisis in religion, formulating positions on faith and despair, racism and social justice, the Holocaust, interreligious dialogue, and the availability of God's presence. We study Heschel's theory and use of literary language, his "poetics of piety," in order to elucidate his narrative strategy to teach God-centered (or prophetic) thinking. The book traces the major themes of his "depth theology," awe and radical amazement, the meaning of symbol, ritual, prayer, and mystical insight. Historical and biographical information clarifies Heschel's implicit polemic with Martin Buber and a supplemental study guide provides sources for each chapter and suggestions for further thought and discussion. "This work is an unusually poignant and unique study of understanding modern religious thought using literary criticism. Unrelated to this observation, but of equal significance, is the author's important presentation of Heschel's response to the Holocaust. Also important is his linkage between Heschel's theology--particularly his views of prophecy, and his biography--especially his involvement in social action. While other writers on Heschel have touched on these issues, no other author has done it with such depth or with such clarity. The focus upon the aesthetic features of Heschel's work makes this work unique and significant. The delineation of Heschel's 'sacred humanism' is very well done and could serve as a model for dealing with similar thinkers, e.g., Thomas Merton." -- Byron L. Sherwin, Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies State University of New York Press Front Matter 1 Half Title Page 3 Title Page 5 Copyright Page 6 Dedication Page 7 Table of Contents 9 List of Illustration 13 FOREWORD 15 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 17 ABBREVIATIONS 21 Content 23 INTRODUCTION 23 ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHEL IN AMERICA: Theologian, Zaddik, Prophetic Voice 29 Writer and Teacher 30 "A Brand Plucked from the Fire" 32 Rescuing the Jewish Soul 33 A Zaddik for the 1950s 35 A READING STRATEGY: Empathy with Critical Awareness 41 How to Read Heschel 42 The First Steps: Close Reading 43 A Divine Perspective 46 Prophetic Call 48 Literary and Theological Insight 50 Reading toward Community 52 THE DIVINE PERSPECTIVE: ELearning to Think Religiously 55 The Dynamics of Theocentric Thinking 56 A Spiritual Itinerary 58 The Endless Tension 64 LANGUAGE AND REALITY: Toward a Poetics of Faith 67 Against Fundamentalisms 68 The Limits of Language 69 Windows to the Spirit 72 The Perspective of the Faithless 75 The Structure of Biblical Metaphor 77 Three Dimensions of Human Fullness 80 MYSTICISM AND DESPAIR: The Threshold of Revelation 83 Out of the Darkness 83 Recasting Mental Habits 85 Mystical Illumination 87 The Life of Piety 92 Resistance to Faith 94 SACRED VERSUS SYMBOLIC RELIGION: Social Science or God's Will? 97 Spirit versus Symbol 99 Law and Inwardness 101 Buber's Atheistic Theology? 104 Poetics and Observance 106 Becoming God's Symbol 109 PROPHETIC RADICALISM: Sacred Humanism and Social Action 121 Prophecy in the New World 122 Reverence for the Divine Image 125 Prophetic Ethics versus Expediency 127 Prayer and Political Courage 130 God as Touchstone 134 CONFRONTING THE HOLOCAUST: God in Exile 137 "The Mountain of History" 140 Writing and Unspeakable Evil 145 No Post-Holocaust Theology 151 METAPHOR AND MIRACLE: Modem Judaism and the Holy Spirit 155 The Historicity of Divine Inspiration 156 Contemporary Judaism and God's Presence 161 Toward! the Future 166 HESCHEL'S UNFINISHED SYMPHONY Reverence, Dismay, and Exaltation 169 A Scholarly Goldmine 171 A Personality for Our Times 172 Transcendence in Disguise 174 Interfaith Activism 175 Back Matter 179 Appendix A: Study Guide 179 Appendix B: Heschel in Germany 185 NOTES 189 ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY IN ENGLISH 219 INDEX 225 Back Cover 237 SUNY Series in ]udaica: Hermeneutics,Mysticism,and Religion Michael Fishbane,Robert Goldenberg,and Elliot Wolfson,editors Published by State University of New York Press,Al'Jany ©1996 State University of New York All rights reserved Printed in the United States of Ameri