Heschel's Negative Influence On The Jewish Religion

When it comes to the Jewish religion, most may associate it with the homeland of Israel or, unfortunately, the negative events that the Jews have experienced over the years. However, there are many positive issues that can be associated with the Jewish religion. When it comes to human influences, there are many who have had a positive influence, most of which are Rabbi 's. One Rabbi in particular had a great impact on the Jews and even helped out with issues not pertinent to his own religion, this would be Abraham Joshua Heschel, and he will be the focus of this essay. In every religion, there is always someone who has a positive influence on the congregation. Whether you are practice Buddhism, Christianity, Islam or Judaism, there is always going to be that one individual who you view as a mentor, someone you can confide in when times get tough, someone who will teach you the ways of your culture. In Judaism, this individual is known a a Rabbi. According to dictionary.com, a Rabbi is a “spiritual leader of Judaism and the Jewish community”(dictionary.com). With that being said, Heschel himself was a well trusted Rabbi who we will later learn, belonged to family rich with leaders. …show more content…
He was born into a family which has a long history within the Jewish religion. According to Fritz A. Rothschild, Heschel “descended on his fathers side from Dov Baer of Mezeritch and Abraham Joshua Heschel of Apta”(Rothschild, 2007), both of which were very involved in Hasidism. When Heschel was still a young man, he achieved something most have not. Heschel received two rabbinical ordinations. Aside from becoming a Rabbi, he was also named the successor of Martin Buber in 1937 (Rothschild,