In Milton Steinbergs novel, As A Driven Leaf, assimilation,

segregation, and revolution are three complex issues that are tackled
by the author. Assimilation is usually discussed within Jewish
communities as young people are exposed to all the many sects of
Judaism, and more importantly the world. In todays day and age it is
more common to see orthodox Jews with reform Jews or even nonJews. Segregation also is a common occurrence in Judaism, as Jews of
different communities and levels of religion distinguish themselves
from others. Gender segregation also runs rampant in Judaism as men
and women have many different rights especially in the more orthodox
sects. Unfortunately, Jews and Jewish communities have been caught
in revolutions that have occurred with other communities as a result of
a conflicts between Judaism and other religions.
Assimilation is one of the main themes in the novel and especially
related to Elisha ben Abuyah. From a young age, Elisha was brought
up as not the strongest believer in Judaism. After his fathers death, he
started to practice Judaism more religiously. Throughout the novel,
Elisha continuously questions his belief in Judaism and even neglects it
to learn about Greek literature and science. Eventually Elishas pursuit
of knowledge about Greek culture causes him to lose everything from
his family to his friends to his religion, and country. When he dies, he
does so tortured by guilt and anger.
The novel describes how Elisha is forced to live with people who dont
share similar beliefs to him. He started off his life learning about Greek
beliefs and culture from his father, but once his father died, he begins
to live a Jewish life with his uncle, Amran. His uncle forbids him to see
his Greek tutor Nicholaus and he burned all his books that were not
affiliated with Judaism. Elisha is sent by Amram to Rabbi Joshuas
house where Elisha begins to become interested in Judaism and train
to become a Rabbi and Sage. Elisha begins to enjoy learning about
Jewish laws and beliefs and begins to make it part of his life.
Elisha learns lessons of assimilation as he now learns and understands
Greek culture and Jewish culture and the impact upon a Jew of life. As
he grows, he begins to believe in Jewish laws and turns away from
Greek culture taught to him by his father. Elisha is torn between two
ways of life. His assimilation into Greek society impacted on him and
he also played a role in assimilating others. In chapter 16, the authors
described the poverty of the Jews and how they would disguise
themselves in order not to be seen by the Romans. The Rabbis would
arrange very risky meetings. They knew they would be killed by the
Romans if caught discussing or meeting about matters of Jewish law or
culture, and where the purpose of the meetings were to discuss how
the decrees of Rufus issued three months ago have thrown our entire

people into despair and confusion (page 427).

During these meetings, the Rabbis would discuss whether or not they
should continue their teachings, or whether or not they should
continue to obeying their commandments or Roman laws. Based on
the discussions at these secretive meetings, it was clear that the
Romans were attempting to assimilate the Jews into their laws and
culture, and it seemed to have been working.
The Romans attempt to the force the Jews to assimilate only resulted in
the Jews finding ways to continue practicing Judaism. In fact, Jews
were willing to kill themselves in order to maintain their faith and
belief. The book describes the time when Rabbi Judah Ben Baba
performed Smichot Chachamim. This is the process where Rabbi
Judah Ben Baba would do Smichot in order appoint Rabbis. This was
done in a valley between cities so that the Romans were unable to
destroy the Jewish cities and kill the people in them because they were
not caught performing any Jewish rituals. Unfortunately Rabbi Judah
Ben Baba was caught while doing Smichot Chachamim and told his
students to run, but he was unable to do so as he was too old, and was
killed by the Romans. Elisha played a big role in helping to assimilate
the Jews at this time as Rufus ordered Elisha to tell the names of the
Rabbis who were part of the meetings where these events took place.
In fact, Elisha told Rufus the names of the Rabbis to assist the Roman.
He did however withhold the names of the up and coming Rabbis and
therefore spared their lives.
Milton Steinberg also touches upon segregation to enhance the events
of the book, and also real life events. An example of this is when Elisha
is separated from the Sanhedrin because he said he did not believe in
G-d. The Jews also excommunicated Elisha at this time because he
was considered one of the leaders, but was attempting to place his
non-beliefs in Jewish laws upon other Jews. Segregation in another
form is a common theme to Jews today. One example of this is can be
seen in some Hasidic circles, where men and women sit and interact
separately, even more so in public. Segregation can be thought of as
positive or negative. In orthodox synagogues, men and women pray
separately and are separated by a Machitza, which is a divider
between them. One purpose for this is to encourage men and women
to focus on prayer when in synagogue rather than the opposite sex.
An example of segregation in the novel occurs when Abuyah, Elishas
Uncle, takes control over Elisha following the death of Elishas father.
Abuyah felt as if Elishas father had been teaching him the wrong laws
and that the Greek texts were incorrect. That is when Abuyah decided
to begin to teach Elisha about Jewish laws. However, as noted above,
in order to do so, he burned all the Greek books that Elisha owned and

also forbid him from learning with Nicholaus. Abuyah told Elisha Let
us not speak about your father, may he rest in peace while burning
the Greek books. While his books, Elisha had more limited ways of
being affiliated with Greek culture and which eventually lead him to
realizing the value of Jewish culture.
Another example of an attempt at segregation takes place at the
beginning of the novel when Elisha is at a dinner party and meets a
man named Shraga the Levite. Shraga begins to insult Elisha and
states negative comments about his father, such as Abuyah was a
Hellinizer, wasnt he, always running after the pagans? And a traitor
too, perhaps? Why else did the Romans spare his estate? (Page 58)
When Elisha was eight years old, he watched as his father was tortured
and his mother was violated. Therefore, Shraga hated everything
pagan connection and wish to segregate Elisha and his father from
other Jewish to resist assimilation of them into their lives and culture.
Milton Steinberg also touches upon the revolutions of the time. A
revolution occurs when a government enforces an order for a new
system that others do not agree on. This occurs throughout the novel
between the Romans and Jews as they have completely different
cultures and views on life. One significant revolution that is described
in the book and in Jewish history is the Bar Kochba revolt. T he
commanders of the revolt were Simon Bar Kochba and Akiva Ben
Joseph. The purpose of the revolt was for the Jews to establish an
independent state over different parts of Judea. Unfortunately the
Roman army disallowed it and forbid the Jews from entering Jerusalem.
The Bar Kochba revolt began after the Roman Emperor promised to
rebuild the Jewish temple, but the Jews later learn that the Emperors
intentions were to build a new temple dedicated to Jupiter and not for
the Jews.
Another revolution was discussed in the book when ten Rabbis were
executed by the Romans in very harsh manners. The occurred in front
of Elisha. In fact, he felt as though he had been one of the main
reasons for the deaths of the Rabbis. Elisha describes in ugly detail
some of the murders of the Rabbis, such as the Iron combs dug into
Akibas flesh (page 458) and the executer Preparing Hanina for
burning (page 457) with Torah scrolls held in his hands.
Throughout the novel, Milton Steinberg themes of assimilation,
segregation, and revolution recur. The reader is left to view many
different historical events that enhanced these ideas and clearly gave
the reader a better understand of how the Jewish people had to battle
these forces in Jewish History. While the ideas have a historical
setting, it is clear that many of the issues describe occur in todays

Jewish society. We learn that Jews must continue to be aware of issues

of assimilation and segregation and in addition, work towards reducing
the possibilities of revolution and they can often result in death and
destruction.