Our sages famously proclaim
ma’aseh avot siman le-banim that the deeds of, or events surrounding, our ancestors are a signpost for their descendants. In other words, we should expect similar occurrences as those experienced by our illustrious forebears to manifest repeatedly.
Does that mean that history is inevitably and irrevocably destined to repeat itself?
Here perhaps we should distinguish between the broad, panoramic sweep of Jewish history regarding which G-D has His masterplan and human free choice
(bekhira) on an individual level.
As individuals (save in exceptional circumstances), human beings are granted free moral choice. We can choose to learn from our ancestors’ trailblazing achievements or not as the case may be.