Abraham Joshua Heschel: Quotes about faith

Abraham Joshua Heschel was Polish-American Conservative Judaism Rabbi. Explore interesting quotes on faith.
Abraham Joshua Heschel: 260 quotes6 likes

“The anchor of meaning resides in an abyss, deeper than the reach of despair. Yet the abyss is not not infinite; its bottom may suddenly be discovered within the confines of a human heart or under the debris of might doubts.
This may be the vocation of man: to say "Amen" to being and to the Author of being; to live in defiance of absurdity, notwithstanding futility and defeat; to attain faith in God even in spite of God.”

Abraham Joshua Heschel

Source: Who Is Man? (1965), Ch. 4

“All action is vicarious faith.”

Abraham Joshua Heschel

"The Holy Dimension", p. 338
Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity: Essays (1997)

“Only straight discovering in the nearest stone or tree, sound or thought, the shelter of His often desecrated goodness, the treasury of His waiting form man's heart to affiliate with His will — this is the rapture of faith. It is an echo to a pleading voice, a reply to the inconceivable in all beauty.”

Abraham Joshua Heschel

"The Holy Dimension", p. 331
Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity: Essays (1997)

“Instead of indulging in jealousy, greed, in relishing themselves, there are men who keep their hearts alert to the stillness in which time rolls on and leaves us behind. … those who are open to the wonder will not miss it. Faith is found in solicitude for faith, in an inner care for the wonder that is everywhere.”

Abraham Joshua Heschel

"The Holy Dimension", p. 331
Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity: Essays (1997)

“Those of faith who plant sacred thoughts in the uplands of time, the secret gardeners of the Lord in mankind's desolate hopes, may slacken and tarry but rarely betray their vocation.”

Abraham Joshua Heschel

"The Holy Dimension", p. 332
Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity: Essays (1997)

“The issue of prayer is not prayer; the issue of prayer is God. One cannot pray unless he has faith in his own ability to accost the infinite, merciful, eternal God.”

Abraham Joshua Heschel

"No TIme for Neutrality", p. 107
Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity: Essays (1997)

“Not the individual man nor a single generation by its own power can erect the bridge that leads to God. Faith is the achievement of many generations, and effort accumulated over many centuries. … There is a collective memory of God in the human spirit, and it is this memory which is the main source of our faith.”

Abraham Joshua Heschel

"The Holy Dimension", p. 333
Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity: Essays (1997)