As a Driven leaf is a historical novel set in Roman Palestine. The protagonist, Elisha ben Abuyah, a talmudic rabbi in the first half of the second century, was excommunicated for heresy. Little is known of Elisha. The Talmud says of him: Four men entered Pardes [the Garden, the realm of theosophy and hidden teachings].... Ben Azzai died.... Ben Zoma went mad.... Acher [Elisha] mutilated the shoots [commited heresy].... R. Akiva departed unhurt. What we …showed first 75 words of 471 total…

…showed last 75 words of 471 total…visually, I was still greatly moved by it. I identified with Elisha's struggle, ( was not exactly in his possition But see what he is staying) and I came away from the novel with a great sense of hope, and a realization that truth not only requires a leap of faith, but that it is not absolute. Instead of getting caught up in proving theories, it is important to choose a path and walk on it.