Seeds Of A Dream/The Early Story of Neot Kedumim

As we all know, Neot Kedumim did not magically sprout from the ground! Like all of the precious plants along its paths, the path to establishing Neot Kedumim required constant attention, care, and dedication. It is accurate to say that Neot Kedumim has been a part of the history of the development of the modern State of Israel, and has intersected with many of the key personalities who established the roots that led to the development of the land from Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel) to Medinat Yisrael (the State of Israel). The letter below, which is translated on the next page, hopefully will give you an idea of how one major historical figure felt about our beloved Biblical Landscape Reserve and its significance. Note the many similarities between the original dream and its realization in the Neot Kedumim of today.
P. Tobenfeld

Here is some brief background information:

HaRav Avraham Yitzhak HaCohen Kook (1864-1935), was the first Chief Rabbi of pre-state Israel . In 1904, he came to the land of Israel to assume the rabbinical post in Jaffa, which also included responsibility for the new secular Zionist agricultural settlements nearby. The two fundamental principles he stressed most were אמונה (Emunah, belief) and אהבה (Ahavah, love). Through these, he embraced secular as well as religious Jews .

Rav Kook saw the return to the land of Israel as not merely a political phenomenon to save Jews from persecution, but an event of extraordinary historical and theological significance.


This is the original letter in Hebrew by Rav Kook to Nogah’s parents, written in 1925. The pages may be yellowed, but the hope they express remains as vibrant as if it had been written today.

Seeds of a Dream,
English translation of the letter,
translated by Rabbi Lyle Fishman

B”H
12 Menachem Av 5685 2 August 1925

Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook
Chief Rabbi of the Land of Israel
Head of the Court
Jerusalem, May it be built and established soon and in our days, amen

Great are the deeds of the distinguished sage Mr. Ephraim Rabinovitch (Hareuveni) through his great effort dealing with research into all the types and details of the flora of our holy land. For many years he has been involved with wondrous love of the holy and beloved knowledge and his reward is abundant for he has enriched the treasure of knowledge of the land of Israel through his numerous innovations, including the names, descriptions and nature of various plants.

He continues to broaden his activity by founding a unique park devoted to the flora found in the Torah and all our ancient holy literature. This collection will be in its perfection a glorification of our people and a pillar of glory to our effort to revive our holy land. In addition it will be a great blessing to researchers and those with occasional interest who will be enlightened in many darkly veiled areas. Through this letter I encourage this beloved sage and request that all of our great scholars and lovers of the holy land who seek its revival encourage this scholar and sage in our colossal holy work.

Swiftly may we see Jacob take root and Israel flourish on our holy land as expressed in G-d’s eternally faithful word.

With blessings of Zion and Jerusalem
Hakatan A.Y. Hakohen Kook

The Dream Becomes Reality/2005 Photos

At the Waterwheel	"Oh, that I were in the wilderness, in a lodging place of wayfarers." (Jeremiah 9:1)	Spiny Broom
Pomegranate		Wild Hollyhock