Shema Israel

Shema Israel
State Medal, 5740-1980

"Hear 0 Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One". Reading the passage is a Biblical commandment "And let these words which I command thee this day, be upon thy heart" (Deuteronomy 6). "Hear 0 Israel", a pronouncement that a Jew hears from the day he is born to the day he dies, constitutes a profession of faith in the unity between the Jew and his Maker, repeated daily. It is also a proclamation of the identity of the individual with his people. "Hear 0 Israel" binds Jews from distant countries who have no other common language. They greet and introduce themselves to each other with the words "Hear 0 Israel".

Obverse: In stylized Hebrew letters: "Hear 0 Israel", Deuteronomy 6, together with the seven-branch candelabra.

Reverse: The full verse "Hear 0 Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is One, DT 6:4" in English and a Star of David.

Edge: The State emblem and the words "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English. The 27mm silver medals and the gold 13 and 22mm have milled edges. The silver 37mm medals bear the word "Silver 935" in Hebrew and "Silver" in English. The gold medals of 30mm have "G 750".

Serialization: All medals having a smooth edge, are numbered.

Designer: Obverse - Zvi Narkis. Reverse - Asher Kalderon.

Engraving: Moshe Nov.

Mint: Bronze - Hecht. Silver and gold 22 and 30mm - Israel Government Mint, Jerusalem. Gold 13mm -Tadgraph and Hecht.