Tribute to Rabbi Heschel

“Racism is Satanism.” It was this conviction that launched Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, a religious Jew from a Hasidic family in Poland, into the American civil rights movement. He viewed racism as “man’s gravest threat – the maximum of hatred for a minimum reason”.

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel was a prominent Jewish theologian and philosopher who spoke passionately about social justice and human rights. He was born on January 11, 1907, in Warsaw, Poland. He became a prominent figure in Jewish thought and was deeply involved in the American civil rights movement. Rabbi Heschel moved to the United States in 1940, escaping the horrors of Nazi Germany.

He was a professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York, where he taught Jewish ethics and mysticism. Rabbi Heschel was known for his profound writings on Jewish philosophy and his active participation in social justice causes, including marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Selma to Montgomery marches.

Rabbi Heschel passed away on December 23, 1972. His legacy continues to inspire many in the fields of theology, philosophy, and social activism. Heschel’s active participation in the civil rights movement, including his famous march alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama, has cemented his legacy as a champion of social justice.

Today, his teachings continue to inspire both Jewish and non-Jewish communities, emphasizing the importance of core Jewish values of compassion, justice, and human dignity – principles which are deeply rooted in Jewish teachings and tradition:

“Tikkun Olam”: a Hebrew phrase that means “repairing the world.” It is a concept in Judaism that emphasizes social justice, charity, and the responsibility to improve society and the world. The idea is to take actions that contribute to the betterment of humanity and the environment, promoting peace, justice, and kindness.
Compassion (Chesed): Emphasized throughout Jewish texts, including the Torah and Talmud, compassion is a fundamental value in Jewish ethics, encouraging acts of kindness and empathy towards others.
Justice (Tzedek): The pursuit of justice is a central theme in Jewish law and ethics. The famous verse from Deuteronomy 16:20, “Justice, justice shall you pursue,” underscores its importance.
Human Dignity (Kavod HaBriyot): Respecting the inherent dignity of every person is a key tenet in Judaism. This value is reflected in numerous teachings and laws that promote the sanctity and worth of human life.

These values are not only theoretical but are meant to be actively practiced in daily life, guiding ethical behavior and social responsibility.