Sunday, Jan. 11th, is Rabbi Abraham Heschel’s birthday. I first “met” him through his best-known book series, “The Prophets.” That two-volume work became my first deep dive into some of the Eighth-Century BC prophets, whom I had long admired. The depth of his research and the breadth of his insights still make his commentaries essential for my Bible study or preaching.

But also Rabbi Heschel’s openness of spirit in writing about the Scritures let me know it’s always okay to bring my questions to God.

Rabbi Heschel also coined the term “radical amazement.” He said, “Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement…. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed.”