Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but the endless, tameless pilgrimage of hearts

Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but the endless, tameless pilgrimage of hearts

Abraham Joshua Heschel, a renowned Jewish theologian and philosopher, once said, “Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but the endless, tameless pilgrimage of hearts.” This profound statement encapsulates Heschel’s belief that faith is not about blind adherence to religious rituals or dogma, but rather a dynamic and ongoing journey of the heart towards a deeper connection with the divine.

Heschel’s understanding of faith as a pilgrimage of the heart is deeply rooted in his Jewish faith and his experiences as a Holocaust survivor. Born in Poland in 1907, Heschel witnessed firsthand the horrors of the Holocaust and the profound suffering of the Jewish people. Despite these traumatic experiences, Heschel never lost his faith in God. Instead, he saw faith as a source of strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

For Heschel, faith was not a static belief system, but a living and breathing relationship with the divine. It was a journey of the heart that required constant reflection, questioning, and growth. Heschel believed that true faith was not about blindly following religious laws or rituals, but about cultivating a deep sense of awe and wonder in the presence of the divine.

Heschel’s concept of faith as a pilgrimage of the heart is also reflected in his commitment to social justice and civil rights. He was a passionate advocate for racial equality and marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in the civil rights movement. Heschel saw his faith as inseparable from his commitment to social justice, believing that true faith required action in the world.