Jericho’s Walls Fall

JERICHO’S WALLS FALL
29 TH COIN IN THE “BIBLICAL ART” SERIES
Legal Tender issued by the Bank of Israel

The fall of the Walls of Jericho is one of the most remarkable events in the Bible. It is a profound expression of the power of unwavering faith and the divine presence that led the Children of Israel in their conquest of the Land of Canaan. The story, which is told in the Book of Joshua, emphasizes the importance of faith and wholehearted obedience to the divine command.

After forty years of wandering in the wilderness, the Children of Israel finally reached the Promised Land. The first city encountered on their route was Jericho. However, the city was surrounded by massive, fortified walls. Instead of commencing by a direct attack on the city, Joshua, son of Nun, the leader of the people, received an exceptional divine command to encircle the city once each day for six days, accompanied by the priests who were to carry the Ark of the Covenant and blow Shofars. On the seventh day, they were to encircle the city seven times. At the end of the seventh and final circuit, the priests were to blow the Shofars, while the people were to shout, and the walls of city were to fall.

The people listened to the voice of Joshua and did exactly as they were instructed. On the seventh day, after having encompassed the city seven times and blown the Shofars, the walls did indeed come tumbling down, which was clear proof of a divine miracle:" And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the Shofars, that Joshua said to the people, Shout; for the Lord has given you the city” (Joshua 6:16).

The story of the fall of the Walls of Jericho has become a metaphor for the triumph of spirituality over matter and unwavering faith over physical force. While a historical account, this story has a moral, teaching us that faith in G-d can bring about groundbreaking results.
Even in the case of seemingly impenetrable walls, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, unyielding faith is likely to lead to a breakthrough. This also teaches us that when faced with great challenges, the power of belief can help to find new and unexpected ways to triumph.

Coin Description:
Reverse: In the upper area of the coin are the Walls of Jericho as they begin to collapse. In the lower area are the priests, some carrying the Ark of the Covenant and some blowing the Shofar.
Obverse: The Israel State Emblem, face value, word "Israel "in Hebrew, English and Arabic, the mint year and mint mark, border inscription "Jericho’s Walls Fall (Joshua 6, 20) "in the three languages. To the left, is an artistic element representing one of the priests blowing a Shofar.

Design: Michal Hamawi Mizrahi | Moshe Pereg