A Passion for Truth

by Abraham Joshua Heschel

"Heschel's last statement on despair and hope in Hasidism as he experienced it himself through study of the Baal Shem Tov and the Kotzker, whose life and thought is dramatically depicted in this book."  —Prof. Fritz A. Rothschild, The Jewish Theological Seminary It is comparatively easy to preach joy and fervor, but to demand Truth is like shaping marble without tools. And so [the Kotzker] went looking for a few surging people and called loudly upon their souls to bend their conceit and see the Truth beneath the soil.... This was not a philosophical inquiry into the nature of Truth but a scrutiny of men’s lives in relation to Truth. Religion, the Kotzker maintained, was not simply an act of adopting a system of beliefs and certain modes of conduct; test and trial were needed, and one had to ascertain through introspection whether one’s beliefs were genuine or not, and whether one acted out Truth or lived a life of pretense.... Kierkegaard made it his task “to reintroduce Christianity into Christendom.” The Kotzker sought to reintroduce authenticity to Jewish life. Kierkegaard’s posthumous impact has been powerful. But has the Kotzker affected Jewish self-understanding?
—from  A Passion for Truth

Genres: Judaism, Religion, Theology, Philosophy, Judaica, Spirituality, Nonfiction

366 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

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

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago, just after graduating college, I attended a weekend retreat on Jewish mysticism with my roommate. It was a waste of time and money (more about that some other time). At the beginning of the first session the rabbi gave us riddle. Three rabbis entered and exited paradise. The first one came out insane. The second entered and cut down all the trees in paradise. The third, the Baal Shev Tov, walked out serene. What was going on?

After a few seconds, I raised my hand and reported, that the rabbis saw themselves as they really were. The first two not being honest in this life, could not stand who they were and had radical negative reactions to the revelation. But the Baal Shev Tov wasn't shocked. Needless to say, I got a dirty look from the rabbi, I guess I was too young, and not Jewish to have figured out the answer. I messed up his big reveal.

Now to the book. Since the 2016 elections our country has been awash in mendacity. Heschel tells
of the Hasidic rabbi known as the Kotzker and Soren Kierkegaard and their critique of their contemporary religious milieu based on the dishonesty of their fellow believers and they questioned their own beliefs for their veracity. Of course, they were screaming into the wind. For them honesty was the greatest virtue.

Heschel gives many examples and stories from both men what it means to live an honest life in God's presence and absence. They also don't promise any great spiritual rewards for honesty, rather frustration and sadness.

[Daniel Goldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was worth working hard to get to the end. And in the current global and local climate was worth it for this quote:
“This is the task: in the darkest night to be certain of the dawn, certain of the power to turn a curse into a blessing, agony into a song.”
Often silence is the best answer to avoid hypocrisy, egoism, shallowness etc, All the things the Kotzk's detested (and it would seem Heschel was not a big fan of).
But music and in particular song can find a way to cut through many of these things. Is there a Truth that can be found beyond words and the attempts we make to explain the world? Music can allow the momentary touch o something transcendental and in that moment we fell the Truth.
Hasidic inspiration for a very rational world is something that can be found in this book.
Less and intellectual journey, and more an elongated but amazing drasha.

[Paul H. Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heavy reading

Heavy reading but worthwhile. I have enjoyed Herschel for many years and hope to read most of his writings excellent

[Benjamin Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the writing style on this will be difficult for many but there’s just a lot of layers in what is being said. Not that you have to agree but things worth thinking about.

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I quite enjoy Heschel, and I'm a big fan of the Baal Shem Tov. I enjoyed the parts about the Kotzker, even if I disagree with his approach, and I learned a lot from his methodology. All of that being said, there's an awful lot of discussion surrounding Kierkegaard and his philosophy, and I think this could have been much more of an enjoyable read for me if that wasn't present.

[Yehuda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! A great meditation on the Kotzker, Kierkegaard, and religious integrity. Highly recommend to those who think deeply about religion, God and truth.