"As a Driven Leaf" is a historical novel by Milton Steinberg, first published in 1939. It tells the story of Elisha ben Abuyah, a Talmudic scholar who becomes a heretic in Roman-occupied Jerusalem during the 2nd century CE. The novel explores Elisha's struggle to reconcile his belief in Judaism with the secular knowledge and ideas he encounters during his travels. The story also features other prominent historical figures such as Rabbi Akiva and Bar Kokhba, and delves into themes such as faith, reason, and personal identity. The novel is considered a classic work of Jewish literature and has been praised for its vivid characterization and compelling narrative.
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