Set in a world not entirely unlike our own, the turbulent Spain of 1492, this novel uses a historical setting to demonstrate the basic esoteric principles in action. Don Immanuel, a retired courtier drawn to a small Cas-tilian town by a message in a dream, forms a small discussion group to study the commonalties between religions-until the group is betrayed to the Inquisition. In the end, Halevi shows, only tolerance and compassion can overcome prejudice, ignorance and fear.