In an age when technology is making our world feel increasingly small and far-flung peoples are interacting with each other more regularly than at any other time in history, the common threads running through vastly different civilizations are not only more obvious but more important to our understanding of ourselves as members of the human race. In Hearing the Voice of God: In Search of Prophecy, Mordecai Schreiber explores one of these common threads—the Jewish prophetic tradition. Schreiber examines the roots of the prophetic tradition in Judaism and demonstrates how it has influenced the prophets of later religions, how its tenets have been replicated by major social and political figures of recent centuries, and how it ultimately has the power to define each person’s understanding of his or her responsibilities as a member of the human race. This is an important text for anyone who wishes to understand the Jewish prophetic tradition that has informed the development of today’s world religions and societal laws.

"Schreiber (The Man Who Knew God: Decoding Jeremiah) here places the Jewish prophetic tradition in its historical and global contexts. Beginning with the “early prophets,” those active, according to the Bible, around the time of King David, Schreiber works his way forward through the history of the Jewish prophets, covering such “giants,” as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. The author considers the prophetic view of history in light of modern historiography, touching on such theories as the great leader, class struggle, and the rise and fall of civilizations. He poignantly describes the prophetic tradition as part of the “cyclical nature of Jewish history,” noting that “the Jewish people and their prophetic legacy are still here today despite all those who rose and still rise to destroy them.” In the middle and later chapters of the book, he examines the influence of the Jewish prophetic tradition on the world’s great religions and also on modern social and political movements. VERDICT This is a worthy introduction to an important element of the Jewish spiritual tradition. Recommended for academic libraries focusing on Jewish studies, religious studies, or comparative religion." - Library Journal

"After the five books of the Torah, the second section of Jewish history is presented in twenty-one books, known as the Prophets. These leaders did not predict the future. Rather, they talked to the people as the spokesmen of God. Author Schreiber, a rabbi and writer of many books, sees them as providing the basis for monotheism and morality. He claims that, during the five centuries beginning with Samuel, the Prophets exercised profound influence that is reflected in today's monotheistic religions. Among the Prophets examined by Schreiber are the sixteen 'literary prophets,' beginning with Amos and ending with Malachi, whose contributions, he claims, are relevant for coping with contemporary problems. The greatest literary prophet, says Schreiber, was Isaiah, who has special relevance for Christianity and whose vision of universal peace should inspire everyone. A final chapter deals with the contemporary scene and the author's belief that adherence to the ideas of the Prophets could reconcile Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, helping to achieve a world without war." - Publishers Weekly