Rebecca

REBECCA
Official Medal, 2007/5768
Second in the "Mothers in the Bible" Medal Series.

The Matriarch Rebecca was a woman of decisive opinion, steadfast in her way. Eliezer, the emissary of Abraham, was sent to find a wife for Abraham's son, Isaac. He met Rebecca near the well and she responded to all his requests with incredible understanding. Eliezer is received as a guest with Rebecca's family and when asked if she would agree to marrying Isaac, Rebecca confidently and decisively replies: "I will..." (Genesis 24:58) Rebecca became the wife of Isaac. During her pregnancy, she felt difficulties, she felt fighting within her. We are told in the Book of Genesis that Rebecca "went to inquire of the Lord", not Isaac but Rebecca herself, and she gave birth to twins – Jacob and Esau. When Isaac was elderly and his sight was failing, he asked Esau, the firstborn, to prepare tasty food and intended to bestow many blessings upon him. Rebecca sensed danger in this for the future and took immediate action by calling Jacob and preparing him to serve his father with the tasty food and receive the blessings, before the arrival of his brother. Esau never forgot and never forgave Jacob for stealing the blessings. Again, Rebecca was forced to save her beloved son Jacob from the anger of Esau. Her decisive actions were to save the people of Israel for all time. Rabbi Eliyahu Marciano.

Obverse: The medal depicts Rebecca carrying the pitcher on her head, before drawing water from the well for Eliezer and his camels.

Reverse: On the common reverse of all medals in the series, a flame – an eternal flame, symbolizing the lineage that began with the first matriarch and continues until this day.

Edge: Gold and Silver medals: Smooth. Bronze and Pure Gold medals: Milled.

Designer: Face: Shira Rahat. Reverse: Dina Avinoam.

Engraving: Bulgaria.

Mint: Silver and Bronze medals: Bulgaria. Gold and Pure Gold medals: ICMC Mint.