Philosophisch-ethische Rezensionen
(Erscheinungsdatum der rezensierten Bücher: 20. und 21. Jahrhundert)
Einat Ramon, Abraham Joshua Heschel and the importance of virtue on Jewish thinking
Eastern European Jewish education and his observation that the solution of
social problems cannot be found in political systems is central for Heschel. For him the problems of our time stem from human greed, materialism,
worship of technology and ancient idolatry. His thoughts and answers to present problems are rooted in classical Jewish
sources - the Bible, rabbinic tradition, Jewish philosophy, Kabbalah, and Hasidism. As remedy he recommends the vision of
God's love for human and the law, he gave to them. He stresses, the asking for love of the Torah, thou shalt love God and
your neighbor. All observance for him is training in the art of love. Although love of God and humans is the goal of all
human existence, Heschel knows, that love doesn't come easy. For him it is not a spontaneous emotion, but a state of mind that
involves many actions, that is, the commandments. Inner labor, informed and guided by the Torah, is necessary. Ramon stresses
that Heschel's entire corpus of thought responds to the horrors and mass murders of 20. century. Heschel turns his attention
to individuals who can make the world better by keeping and performing commandments. He recommends the virtues love of wisdom,
sensitivity, responsibility, solidarity, and truth-seeking. The root of all evil he sees in pride, arrogance, and presumption.
At the root of the Holocaust, he sees the scientific-materialistic view of man, along with antisemitism. In his view it lacks
the perception of the miraculous aspect of creation, an awareness of Good and other aspects of what amounts to cherishing
human life as unique and the crown of creation. For Heschel there is no other remedy to humanity's ills than following God's
commandments. For him the evidence of the reality of God is all about us.