Prophetic Inspiration after the Prophets

by Abraham Joshua Heschel, Morris M. Faierstein

English (translation)Original Hebrew

Genres: Jewish

157 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1996

About the author

Heschel was a descendant of preeminent rabbinic families of Europe, both on his father's (Moshe Mordechai Heschel, who died of influenza in 1916) and mother's (Reizel Perlow Heschel) side, and a descendant of Rebbe Avrohom Yehoshua Heshl of Apt and other dynasties. He was the youngest of six children including his siblings: Sarah, Dvora Miriam, Esther Sima, Gittel, and Jacob. In his teens he received a traditional yeshiva education, and obtained traditional semicha, rabbinical ordination. He then studied at the University of Berlin, where he obtained his doctorate, and at the Hochschule für die Wissenschaft des Judentums, where he earned a second liberal rabbinic ordination.

Reviews

[Michael Lewyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wide variety of Jewish sources suggest that prophecy ended after the Second Temple was built.

In the first half of this book, Heschel discussed a wide variety of Jewish traditions suggesting otherwise. However, it is not clear how similar the medieval inspirations, mystical visions, and dreams he discusses were to First Temple prophecy.

The second half of the book suggests that Maimonides thought he was a prophet, based on vague statements; for example he once wrote that something he wrote was "akin to prophecy." But Heschel admits that Maimonides also wrote that prophecy would return to Jews in 1210- some years after he died. So I am not sure I understand what Heschel is saying.

[P. Es · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indicates the history of lower levels of prophetic inspiration after the era of the Prophets. an additional essay discusses whether or not Rambam (Maimonides), believes he achieved a prophetic state (later suggested in an audio shiur by R. Dovid Fink of Jerusalem), and if his "guide to the perplexed" is actually a treatise for an initiate...