The Remarkable Impact of One Mitzvah: The Rothschild Legacy Across Israel

What connects these Israeli locales: Pardes Hana, Zikhron Yaakov, Binyamina, Givat Ada, Bat Shlomo, Ashdot Yaakov, Meir Shfeya, Mazkeret Batya, Sde Eliezer, and Shadmot Dvora?

They are certainly all in Israel, but what's special about them?

The story begins 270 years ago. In 1755, a Jewish man named Anschel Moshe Hahn passed away, leaving his 12-year-old son, Mayer Anschel, who had been studying at the Yeshiva of Fürth, to fend for himself. He found work as a servant for Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Chortkov, father of the author of the Hafla'ah. One day, a large sum disappeared from the Rabbi's home, and suspicion fell on the orphan servant. Upon being confronted, Anschel paid the full amount, only to lose his job. Eventually, the real thief was found, and the Rabbi, realizing his mistaken suspicion, blessed the young Anschel with wealth and success.

Indeed, Mayer Anschel thrived in his business endeavors. He became a coin expert and established Europe's first bank. He settled in Frankfurt in a notable house with a red roof, called "Rothschild" because of this "red sign." During the Napoleonic Wars, a minister deposited a vast fortune with Rothschild, hidden in wine barrels in his cellar, safe from searching French soldiers. After the war, he returned the money to its owner, gaining much respect. Wilhelm I then appointed him as agent for European royal loans, from which he amassed great wealth.

Upon Mayer Anschel's passing, his fortune was equally divided among his sons. Each became very wealthy, and their descendants inherited great wealth as well, creating the Rothschild family, known for their immense riches. Throughout Western Europe, Rothschild descendants established notable Jewish communities, generously contributing to their fellow Jews.

Mayer Anschel's son, Nathan Mayer, settled in England, marrying the sister-in-law of the great philanthropist Moses Montefiore. Nathan's story includes attending the famed Battle of Waterloo—not for military reasons, but financial. Seeing the tide of battle shift, he raced to Hamburg, boarded a fast ship to England, then dashed to the London Stock Exchange, buying up undervalued British government bonds. Days later, news arrived of Wellington's victory, and bond prices soared.

Among the most famous Rothschilds was Baron Edmond de Rothschild, known in Israel as "The Famous Benefactor." He supported numerous colonies in Israel, offering a clue to our puzzle: these places were named after the extensive Rothschild family:

Zikhron Yaakov – named for the Famous Benefactor's father, James (Yaakov) Rothschild.

Mazkeret Batya – named for his mother, Batya Rothschild.

Meir Shfeya – named for Mayer Anschel Rothschild.

Bat Shlomo – for Batya Rothschild, jointly honoring her father, Shlomo Rothschild, founder of the Austrian branch.

Binyamina – named for the Famous Benefactor himself, whose Hebrew name was Binyamin.

Givat Ada – honoring his wife, Ada.

Shadmot Dvora – named after his daughter, Dvora.

Pardes Hana – named after Nathan Mayer's wife, Hana Rothschild, England's wealthiest woman, dubbed "Countess of Rosebery."

The "Ramat Hanadiv" park near Zikhron Yaakov was established by the family as a mausoleum for Baron Edmond James de Rothschild and his family. It features a beautiful garden surrounding a nature reserve with numerous flowers.

From one mitzvah, the settlement of many places in Israel.