Abraham David focuses on the Spanish and Portuguese Jews who fled the Iberian Peninsula during the 16th century, tracing the beginnings of Sephardic influence in the land of Israel.

In this carefully researched study, David examines the lasting impression made by these enterprising Jewish settlers on the commercial, social, and intellectual life of the area under early Ottoman rule. Of particular interest are David's examinations of the cities of Jerusalem and Safed and the succinct biographies of leading Jewish personalities throughout the region.