I first read bits of Man Is Not Alone in the 70s, but only today read through a just purchased copy of this lyrical reflection on religion and doubt, belief and faith, man and God, the Ineffable and Jewish tradition. Why I didn't take in more of Heschel's obvious wisdom on my first encounter with him long ago is unclear, but its clear to me now that this book, written in 1951, will continue to be appreciated as a spiritual classic for generations to come.

If you want to be infused with wonder for the God of the Universe, this book is filled with great aspects and ideas. Heschel is a man so sensitive to the changes of his time, that his writing is as fresh today as it was 50 years ago.

If you want to be infused with wonder for the God of the Universe, this book is filled with great aspects and ideas. Heschel is a man so sensitive to the changes of his time, that his writing is as fresh today as it was 50 years ago.

This is a profound work. It is written by a Hasidic philosopher- poet. It is a work of reflections and these reflections require commentary. I would not say that I understand the work, but I do say that in the presence of this kind of writing one feels a certain holiness. I think the best way to demonstrate this is by citing one passage. It is from the section ' In the Presence of God'" The pious man is possessed by his awareness of the presence and nearness of God.Everywhere and at all times he lives in His sight, whether he remains always heedful of His proximity or not. He feels embraced by God's mercy as by a vast encircling space. Awareness of God is as close to him as the beating of his own heart, often deep and calm but at times, overwhelming, intoxicating, setting the soul afire"
Clearly Heschel the grandson of the Atper Rav (The Lover of Israel) was such a soul on fire with the presence of God. " May that fire warm and light the way to those of us not as close, not as sure but still striving to come closer to G-d.

Heschel's book is a description of faith rather than an argument for faith: not an attempt to persuade the faithless, but an explanation of how the religious person thinks. I especially liked his discussion of prayer and ritual; Heschel explains, for example, that set written prayers exist to help us think about our faith as we read them. MUCH easier to read than his more famous book "God In Search Of Man"; I wish I had read this book first.

A thinking person who doesn't believe in God, someone who is searching for God, or a believer who wants to know God more deeply -- all will be touched by this profound portrayal of "the One who IS." It is a beautifully written treasure of wisdom.

I first encountered Heschel as a college senior in 1971, when my teacher, Rabbi Morton Fierman of Santa Ana, CA, taught a course in Heschel. We students were Catholics, Baptists, Presbyterians, agnostics, and a few Jews, and Heschel transformed our lives. I have celebrated the Ineffable ever since, and viewed Yahweh with Radical Amazement. To climax the course, we met Heschel at Whittier College. I recommend his books to anyone interested in spirituality. We need him in the 21st Century.