I’ve been reflecting on the concept of “elevations,” or the “height of the good,” as explored by Franz Rosenzweig and Emmanuel Levinas, two towering figures whose thought resonates deeply with anyone who loves God and treasures our tradition.
Both Rosenzweig and Levinas offer a vision of holiness that is not distant or abstract but close, immediate, and alive in the ways we encounter others, uphold mitzvot, and deepen our relationship with the Divine. Their reflections inspire a life where ethical responsibility and faith are inseparable, bringing us ever closer to the “height” that feels like the purest good.
For Rosenzweig, philosophy reaches its true serenity when it acknowledges the mystery of God the great “I Am” who reveals Himself in the ongoing covenant with Israel. In his own poetic style, Rosenzweig describes the height of the good as something that transcends mere intellectual understanding. It is a dynamic relationship, a lived reality of devotion where God’s presence is not only heard but felt, and where faith is renewed daily through the mitzvot and the community.
Levinas, on the other hand, takes this elevation into the sphere of ethics with a fresh intensity. He points out that the “height of the good” is realized in the encounter with the Other, the face that commands responsibility and awakens holiness. To love God is inextricable from the call to care for others, to respond with compassion and justice. For Levinas, ethical responsibility is the direct expression of our relationship with the Divine, making our moral actions acts of divine service.
What I find most stirring in their teachings is how fully anchored these ideas remain in Jewish tradition. Neither thinker asks us to abandon our roots, but rather to see our heritage in a new light full of vitality and spiritual elevation. Embracing mitzvot becomes not just a ritual exercise but an ongoing encounter with the Divine, opening pathways to holiness in everyday life.
From lighting Shabbat candles to acts of kindness, these everyday deeds grow into the “height of the good” moments where the soul is uplifted, where our bond with God is strengthened, and where we get a glimpse of the sacred amidst the ordinary. This philosophy calls us to a life of attentive, continuous devotion: a carefully woven tapestry of prayer, study, and selfless care.
I want to express my gratitude for the profound insights of Rosenzweig and Levinas, whose thoughts illuminate the path of faith so beautifully. They don’t merely give us abstract ideas but invite us into a living, breathing spiritual journey, one that heightens our longing for God’s presence and challenges us to embody holiness in the world.
In their intellectual gifts, we find encouragement to deepen our love for God and to embrace the weighty but joyful responsibility of caring for others. This is the elevation I cherish: a call to rise above the mundane and step into a rhythm of life that is faithful, ethical, and filled with awe.