Reimagining Rishon Lezion: From a Traditional Colony to Modern Urban Life

Rishon Lezion stands as the fourth largest city in Israel, yet its history stretches beyond that of cities like Tel Aviv, Netanya, or Herzliya. There's a reason it's called "Rishon Lezion," meaning "First to Zion." It holds the distinction of being the first Hebrew colony established by those part of the so-called "First Aliyah" and ranks among the seven initial settlements.

The colony of Rishon Lezion was founded on July 31, 1882, corresponding to the Hebrew date Tu B'Av, 5642. Its name echoes the words of Isaiah 41:27: "'First to Zion' behold they are, and to Jerusalem, I give one who brings good news."

According to Prof. Eliav in his book "The Land of Israel and its Settlement in the 19th Century," over the years 5642-5644, the first seven colonies were established. "Most settlers were observant Jews, and nearly all the early settlements maintained a pronounced religious character, preserved for many years; settlers from the old Yishuv (Jewish community) played a significant role in founding these colonies, as pioneers of the settlement vision."

The initial land for Rishon Lezion was acquired by Chaim Amzalak from Jaffa, an active broker and a mohel, who also served as the British Vice Consul. His position allowed the acquisition of land without interference from the Ottomans, who did not issue building permits, though they did not actively prevent the colony's construction. Initially, water was transported by donkey from the Arab village Beit Dajan, posing risks and dependencies until the first well was dug, now located in the old city's center on Rothschild Street.

The charter of the founding committee of Rishon Lezion stated: "The committee is to establish a synagogue for prayer, a Talmud Torah and science school... a bathhouse with a mikvah according to the religion... appoint educators and ritual slaughterers, and seek an esteemed rabbi from the Holy Land as an advisor to whom all matters of faith and religion will be referred."

Even the construction of the synagogue was nearly impossible at that time. The Ottomans prohibited new synagogues, so the building was disguised as a large warehouse. It held 150 seats in the men's section and was agreed to host Hassidic prayers, as was the custom of most settlers. However, to complete the construction, they needed the help of Baron Rothschild, who then demanded prayers follow the Ashkenazi rite. The Rothschild family is notably Ashkenazi, and the Baron's wife, Baroness Ada, was the daughter of Rabbi Shimon of Frankfurt, from Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch's community. Prof. Eliav notes, "The Baron insisted on maintaining a religious lifestyle in the colonies. During his first visit to Israel in 1887, he emphasized the duty to meticulously observe the commandments. On Shabbat at the Rosh Pina settlement, his wife prayed with the women colonists using the sidur. After the service, she expressed her pleasure with the settlers' adherence to Judaism."

In his second visit in 1893, the Baron said in his speech at the synagogue in Zichron Yaakov: "Know well that in the past, our ancestors, by straying from our sacred law and ignoring our prophets, incurred Hashem's wrath and were exiled from their land. Be careful not to abandon the path of our Torah... Show the world that the Jew who follows pure faith and an unblemished Torah is also a diligent worker."

To the settler women, he said: "Accustom yourselves and your daughters to daily prayer, as my mother, may she rest in peace, prayed three times a day."

In Hashfira, a newspaper of moderate intellectuals in Russia, a quote from Rothschild's 1899 visit to Rishon Lezion reads: "And to those who say we should be only nationalists, with no ties to religion, they err! Not so, for in truth, Jewish nationalism and religion are intertwined. Without Judaism, there is no nationalism... Heaven forbid to forget Judaism, for without it, there is no Jewish people."

In the literature recounting Rishon Lezion's history, and even on its Wikipedia page, little acknowledges its founding as a religious settlement. The Baron's activities are often described devoid of the Jewish spiritual context, with history whitewashed to present Zionism solely, based on the misconception that the religious did nothing to establish the settlement, viewing the enterprise as secular, with the old Yishuv allegedly indifferent to it, which is regrettable.

Dr. Jacob Shavit, in his book "The History of the Land of Israel," notes, "The spiritual-cultural portrait of the settlements was initially distinctly religious-traditional, in lifestyle and behavior norms. The settlement charters clearly emphasized the obligation of Torah observance, and the first schools were based on the 'cheders' and 'Talmud Torahs', focusing on Torah, Mishnah, and Talmud studies. The first-generation settlers mostly saw themselves as bringing forth bread from the land, not as creating a new Hebrew culture. Even Baron Rothschild ensured that the settlements under his patronage maintained a religious lifestyle: every settlement had a synagogue and mikvah, and appointed religious officials such as rabbis and ritual slaughterers."

After the establishment of the state, unfortunately, not many in Rishon Lezion remained committed to the Jewish way, and it became a secular city. However, slowly, as in many towns and kibbutzim across the country, numerous synagogues and yeshivas were established, schools and Beit Yaakov opened, and the ancient synagogue of Rishon Lezion, now something of an archaeological treasure, once again echoes with the joyous sounds of Torah study.