Bar Mitzva

Bar Mitzvah
State Medal, 5738-1978

When a Jewish boy reaches the age of thirteen he is deemed to be an adult. It is traditional to mark the occasion at a public ceremony, and to end the religious ceremony with an appropriate feast in the boy's honor. Since the reunification of Jerusalem it has become increasingly popular to solemnize the occasion at the Western Wall. Since the establishment of the State, many Jews abroad have become converted to the idea of sending the Bar Mitzvah boy to Israel to observe the occasion. At times, organized groups of Bar Mitzvah boys have come with their parents, to participate in the ceremony. The first "Bar Mitzvah" medal was issued on the occasion of the State's thirteenth anniversary in 5721, 1961. After the issue was exhausted, a new medal was issued in 5738, 1978 based upon the original medal with some changes.

Obverse: A figure of a boy putting on Tefilin and the verse "At 13 for fulfilment of the mitzvoth" (Ethics of the Fathers V:24) in Hebrew and English.

Reverse: The State emblem and the emblems of the twelve tribes.

Edge: The State emblem and the words "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English. The gold 30mm and 13mm are milled. On the silver 37mm the word "Silver 925" in Hebrew and "Silver" in English. The gold 22mm have "G585".

Serialization: All medals having a smooth edge have been numbered.

Designer: Rothschild and Lippman ("Roli").

Engraving: Kretschmer

Mint: Bronze from 0001 to 4000 - Kretschmer, from 4001 onward - Hecht. Silver and gold 22, 30mm - Israel Government Mint, Jerusalem. Gold 13mm - Hecht and Tadgraph.