Yakov from Jaffa is a Jewish boy, the son of a poor Jaffa fisherman. An accident happened and the lad was orphaned. The rabbi from whom Yakov studied passed the care of the orphan to the brother in Jerusalem. Yakov was an capable disciple. Even at a young age, he had the idea of becoming wealthy and independent. He desired to escape the hardships of Jewish destiny. Yakov was able to fulfill the dream of his youthful years of wealth. He became a prosperous merchant, traveled the world, lived in the West and in the East. The story, which takes place at the time of the crusades, ends tragically for its main character.