Tree of Life

The Tree of Life and the Alphabet
State Medal, 5745 - 1985

The two best known trees in the Garden of Eden were the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge. The Designer has designed a Tree of Life expressing renewal, vigour and breath of life. Its outline recalls the Star of David, and within are the words "The People of Israel Lives", a prayer and hope for eternal life. As the infant grows into childhood, it begins to taste of the Tree of Knowledge, to study the alphabet and the Torah, of which it is written "It is the Tree of Life for Those who Adhere to it". The letters of the Hebrew alphabet appear to be dancing.

Obverse: An old tree to represent the Tree of Knowledge. Its outline recalls the Star of David, and within are the words "The People of Israel Lives".

Reverse: The area is filled with stylized Hebrew letters, free and uneven. The entire Hebrew alphabet, consisting of 22 letters are enclosed within a circle surrounding the Hebrew "aleph" which is placed in the center.

Edge: Milled.

Designer: Obverse - Asher Kalderon. Reverse - Ben Shahn.

Engraving: Kretschmer.

Mint: Kretschmer.