ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests that the essence of interactional drama is the animation by which a person shows off who he is and what he is doing—dramatically depicts him in public action with others. The person who is interactional in tune with those among whom he finds or counts himself, who makes the right lernen moves ultimately finds himself drawn toward a moral harmony with the Talmud. Two concepts will prove helpful in advancing the analysis of the interactional drama taking place during lernen. Borrowing from Goffman, refer to "primary framework" and "key." The limits of what may be properly included and what should be disattended or ruled irrelevant within the interactional drama of lernen constitutes one of the latent yet constant concerns of the performers. Another is the continued capacity to transform what might otherwise be considered irrelevant into something in harmony with their lernen.
