EE & R, Intro_1: The Unseen Author and the Human Drama

A character in an ongoing drama written in secret by an unseen Author: such is the human being within history. Like all dramas, the universal one has a central theme, a notion around which the entire plot is woven. Something mysterious is happening. An idea is playing itself out through the epic saga that is the story of the world, and man is charged with playing the lead role in a drama he but dimly understands. By means of history’s progress, a divine plan is unfolding: The word of Hashem, His idea, becomes manifest and advances, but as it does so, its instruments – people – remain largely ignorant of it.

Characters whose lines are not supplied to them by the playwright must improvise and shape their own role. We attempt (usually subconsciously) to fathom the word of Hashem – the Reason of history – and to speak similar words, to support and advance the theme of the universal drama. This improvisation is itself a crucial element of the drama, for man develops and discovers himself through defining his own role. Hashem’s script cannot be plainly and freely displayed before us without intense seeking on our part, for our quest itself forms a crucial part of the script. Man must himself discover the pattern of Hashem’s word and learn the sense of the story that is his own story: its past, its future, toward what it is progressing.

People vary in their ability to uncover the meaning of their story, and this shapes the extent of their success in the great drama of existence. Those with a deeper understanding of their story’s patterns create more compelling lines and earn themselves better roles. History’s reason is actualized only through those great souls in whom it finds echo, making their understanding of this reason Hashem’s work, His command to action. It behooves us to discover the key to the story – to discover ourselves.

Where are we to find it? Naturally, we turn to the book that teaches Hashem’s thought, His idea and ideals: the Torah. Hashem’s work can surely reveal to us the secret we seek. Through studying it deeply, we should be able to bring to light the inner theme of universal human history and understand our role therein.

In this spirit, I seek to elucidate the Word, to teach the meaning of humanity’s progress according to the Torah. I invite you to join me on this journey of understanding yourself and your world, your history and also – your future.

The Torah teaches that there a meaning to history, an aim; I want to understand just what that meaning is.

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(For the next installment of "Exodus, Exile and Redemption," click here. For ToC, click here.)