The Rothschild Deal: The Fascinating Story of Rehovot

Have you ever heard of the "City of Science and Citrus"? If so, you're definitely not young... That was one of Rehovot's nicknames decades ago.

On the 11th of Adar 5650 (1890), 135 years ago, members of the Polish group "Menucha VeNachala", led by Eliyahu Eisenberg, came to the "Duran" lands in the lowlands. The lands were purchased from the wealthy Christian Butrus Roke. If you look around, all you see is sand, but those in the know say that "Duran" preserves the name of the ancient Jewish settlement "Doron," mentioned in the Jerusalem Talmud Tractate Pe'ah. If a settlement existed here, it's a sign that there's water underground. It's necessary to dig a well reaching the water table.

On that day, several dozen people gathered around the new well, with groundwater at its bottom. The horizon in all directions was just sandy desolation, and Eliyahu Eisenberg spoke: "My brothers, you see this place where only foxes roam, a total wilderness; but soon you will witness old men and women, and children playing in the streets of the settlement founded here."

Some of them indeed lived to see Rehovot become a large city, with 150,000 residents.

The city name was chosen by Eisenberg, inspired by the verse alluding to: "Old men and old women will yet sit in the streets of Jerusalem," and following the event of the well dug by Isaac our Forefather, which he called "Rehovot," saying: "Now Hashem has given us room, and we will flourish in the land."

The objective of establishing the city was to create a self-sufficient community, functioning according to Jewish law, without needing Baron Rothschild's support. Although the Baron was extraordinarily benevolent, with a warm Jewish heart, the office clerks were modern, many not observant, making cooperation challenging. Rehovot's founders wanted to earn their living independently, without charity and without the Baron's aid. Rabbi Yaakov Broida supported the land purchase, and Rabbi Mohiliver helped organize the group.

The lowland soil, barren for two thousand years, untouched by human hands, was rich in minerals. Settlers planted vineyards, yielding outstanding produce. The grapes were sold to the nearby Rishon LeZion winery, achieving great success. Subsequently, many orchards were planted around Rehovot, bearing abundant fruit as well. In 1920, a train station was built in Rehovot, greatly aiding the distribution and export of citrus fruits to overseas markets.

Rehovot’s settlers finalized a lucrative deal with Baron Rothschild: he purchased all their vineyard grapes for his Rishon LeZion winery, and they marketed Carmel wines in Russia, exclusively, leading to significant mutual gains over many years.

Unlike other colonies, Rehovot farmers did not need to sow grain or engage in various crafts. The earnings from vineyards and orchards ensured their prosperity, spreading Rehovot's fame.

In 1907, dozens of Yemenite immigrants arrived and set up tents near Rehovot, which later became the neighborhood of Sha'arayim. Over the years, Rehovot developed, with more neighborhoods established.

In 1937, Chaim Weizmann, who would later become the state's President, founded a scientific institute for chemistry in Rehovot. Today, it's called the "Weizmann Institute" and significantly impacts Rehovot, which calls itself the "City of Science" because of it. When it was founded, it was named "Ziv Institute," funded by Lady Rebecca Sieff, owner of the global store chain "Marks & Spencer." During the War for Independence, the institute served as a base for the Science Corps, assembling bombs and developing patents that aided Jewish fighters in various ways. Now the institute is renowned worldwide, featuring a particle accelerator and laser systems for diamond cutting.

As in many cities founded at that time, although many founders were observant, their children often did not follow their ways. Yet Rehovot always had a strong religious Jewish core. City Rabbi, Rabbi Shlomo Kook, was a famous scholar and dayan. In 1972, a tragic event occurred when he and his family tragically perished in a railway accident. Rabbi Simcha Kook succeeded him, establishing the "Maor HaTalmud" Yeshiva, initially in his home, then in a separate building. Today, the yeshiva boasts 400 students, and alongside many more yeshivas and illustrious Torah-observant communities, the sound of Torah is prominent in the "City of Citrus and Science."