Hanukka Lamp (″Hanukkiya″) from Yemen

Hanukka Lamp from Yemen
Hanukka Coin, 5743-1982

Yemenite Jewry is one of the oldest of the exiled communities from the Land of Israel. Under Moslem rule, the Jews of Yemen were harshly persecuted. Throughout their exile, they maintained ties with the Jewish centers in the world and with Eretz Israel, and therefore they are regarded as a source of Judaism and preservation of Jewish culture. The mass immigration of Yemenite Jews to Israel in1882 / 5342 seemed to signify the allusion in the poetry of Rabbi Shalom Shabazi, the famous Yemenite Jew and Jewish poet, "I will go up to the palm tree" (Song of Songs 7:8).
The 1882 Yemenite immigrants and those that followed, worked on the land with other pioneers in building the country. When the State of Israel was established, many more exiled Yemenites flocked to Israel. The new immigrants with those who were already here in Israel totaled over 100,000 people. The Yemenites are regarded as a hard working and self supporting people. They have contributed greatly to Israeli culture.

Obverse:
The Israel State emblem, the word "Israel" in Hebrew, Arabic and English and mint year 1982 - 5743, the face value, 2 Sheqalim on the proof coin, 1 Sheqel on the B.U. coin.

Reverse:
Hebrew Inscription "Yemenite Hanukka Lamp - I will go up to the palm tree", written in traditional Yemenite script, a stone Hanukka lamp from Yemen.

Edge:
B.U. coin - smooth, Proof - milled

Mint Marks:
B.U. Coin - Star of David, Proof Coin - Hebrew letter "Mem"

Designer:
Ze'ev Lippmann.

Mint:
B.U. - Monnaie de Paris. Proof - Stuttgart Mint