In ancient Israel, soon after Nessa is of marriageable age, her father gives her to a wealthy widowed friend, capitalizing on her beauty to bring in the highest bride-price he can find. Nessa is devastated, as she had begged to marry Lavi, who returned her love and saw more in her beyond her appearance. But Nessa’s betrothal leads to Lavi’s departure, compounding her grief, and she can never forget her forbidden first love.

Nessa tries to accept her fate, but after only a year of marriage, tragedy hits her new family. She is sent back to her father, who quickly finds a wealthy young man who wants to marry the most beautiful woman in Sychar. Misfortune follows Nessa as she is passed from one marriage to another–until she meets an unusual Jewish rabbi at the town’s well one afternoon, and her life is forever changed.