I Asked for Wonder: A Spiritual Anthology

This book inspires wonder. The excerpts from the writings of Abraham Joshua Heschel are mostly short, sometimes just single sentences. But what wonderful sentences! In an NBC interview, he spoke to youth: "remember...to build a life as if it were a work of art." Who speaks like that today? And what simpler way to summarize the paradox of human existence than with the simple sentence: "Man is a messenger who forgot the message."Heschel extolled the prophets of ancient Israel, but he himself was a prophet in mid-century America, as he took very active participation in the civil rights struggle and the anti-war movement during the Vietnam years. The excerpts in the book only indirectly reflect his participation in social justice and anti-war activities. But I hear his prophetic voice in an excerpt such as this: "This is a time to cry out. One is ashamed to be human. One is embarrassed to be called religious in the face of religion's failure to keep alive the image of God in the face of man.... We have imprisoned God in our temples and slogans, and now the word of God is dying on our lips. There is darkness in the East, and smugness in the West. What of the night? What of the night?" Poetry at the service of prophetic spirituality. And that prophetic spirituality is just as strongly needed today, as we face so many forms of darkness, including the racism and violence that energized Heschel's prophetic voice in the 1960s.The book is beautifully edited and assembled by Samuel Dresner. The book itself is a work of art. I am a Christian, but I find Heschel's voice to be truly universal, even when he is speaking to his fellow Jews. This book is rapidly becoming a daily companion for my own walk in faith. Almost every sentence challenges me and it inspires me to read the books from which these excerpts are drawn.

Typical Heschel. Someone borrowed mine and never returned it so I guess you can tell I valued it enough to replace it.

I just love this collection. Every time I pick it up I am delighted or provoked or made to question. I chart my spiritual growth by my grasp of his writing. Heschel is very accessible through his writing. Such wisdom.It is now December 2014 and I think that I have purchased and repurchased this book four times. I seem to " loan " it to people and end up giving it as a gift. I have occasion to lead meditations and I always begin or end with a reading from Heschel. The last time I read "Awe" and the affect was profound stillness. Great stuff, power and humility all in one.

Abraham Heschel helped me to understand the essence of "ineffable." Having read "The Sabath," and possessing several other books by Rabbai Heschel, the gem stones presented in this book are more stepping stones to standing before that ineffable. One is indeed in "awe" of God here whatever be the avenues or established religion that leads you to Him. Always there, unchanging, caring, loving.And always ready to listen and show His ways. This book will make you want more of Rabbai Heschel's insights. More importantly it will make you want more of God. And that is a good thing.

Rabbi Heschel "a smoldering branch from tree consumed by fire" led a remarkable life of devotion to God and truth. The book enters into thoughts of a Hassidic Jew in the early 1950's in the last section but before is filled with spiritual wisdom open to all. Many hours of prayer and contemplation within these pages.

If you are a newcomer to Rabbi Abraham Heschel this is a perfect beginning text. Small gems from his larger works that will lift your soul and inspire you about the depth and joy of living. It will let you know which of his longer works you will want to read next, because this "appetizer" will whet you appetite for a larger meal of spiritual food.

This book is worthwhile reading and a very fascinating and fresh approach during daily devotions.

I asked for a genuine spiritual teacher and was shown Abraham Joshua Heschel. This selection is beautiful! Sincere, unpretentious, humble, inspiring...there aren't enough adjectives. I felt honored to read the words. It's like glimpsing a man's soul. A work to be savored.

The Book arrived quickly and as described. Like the thought bytes that this book contains. Heschel was a great thinker.