The events of the book took place two centuries ago. Educated European Jews, the enlighteners, laughed at the ignorance of their Ukrainian tribesmen, the simple hasids. Other opponents of the hasids were the antihasids, who harshly rebuked them for their false messianism. Love between the young heroes of the story sometimes overcame family traditions, and sometimes yielded to them. But then a common misfortune happened, and national solidarity united all three parties.