Jacobs Dream

JACOB'S DREAM
BIBLICAL ART COIN 2014
19th in the Biblical Art Series
Legal Tender issued by the Bank of Israel

Jacob fled northwards from Beer Sheba in the south of Israel to his uncle Laban in Haran (today in Syria), fearing that his twin brother Esau would want to kill him after he had received the blessing from his father Isaac and taken away the birthright. Tired and weary, he stopped and lay down to sleep, resting his head on the stones of the ground. In a dream, he sees a ladder reaching from the earth up to heaven, with angels ascending and descending. According to tradition, the foot of the ladder stood on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, where the Holy Temple would one day be built.

G-d speaks to Jacob in his dream and reminds him of His promises to Jacob's father and grandfather, Abraham and Isaac, because Jacob is to continue the dynasty of Abraham and follow in his path. G-d also promises to guard Jacob constantly, throughout his journey, until his return to the Land of Israel; He promises not to leave him.

There are many interpretations of the dream and its significance. Nahmanides, the famous commentator in 13th century Spain, explains that the dream does not refer solely to Jacob but rather to the long chapter in the history of the Jewish people from exile to return to the Land of Israel. G-d's promise to Jacob does not refer exclusively to him but to the entire people of Israel; G-d promises He will not leave His people and will bring them back from exile to the Land of Israel. The angels in the dream represent the connection between earth and heaven, while the steps of the ladder connect the material earth to the spiritual heavens and a person climbs them one by one in order to progress.

Jacob's dream of the ladder is something that has captivated people’s imaginations for thousands of years. Now it is represented on a coin in the Biblical Art Series.

Design: David Harel

Coin Description

Obverse: Face Value, Israel State Emblem, "Israel" in English, Hebrew and Arabic, the ladder in Jacob's dream, border inscription "Jacob's Dream" in English, Hebrew and Arabic.

Reverse: A representation of Jacob's dream - Jacob lies on the ground, dreaming, the ladder and angels rise in the background.

Edge:
Silver Prooflike Coin: Smooth
Silver Proof and Gold Coins: Milled

Mint Marks:
Silver Prooflike Coin – Star of David
Silver Proof and Gold Coins – Hebrew letter "Mem"

Designer: David Harel

Engraving: Tidhar Dagan

Mint: The Holy Land Mint