Moses And The Rock

MOSES AND THE ROCK
26th in the "Biblical Art" Commemorative Coin Series
Legal Tender issued by the Bank of Israel

The story of "Moses and the Rock" is one of the most famous and enigmatic of all the biblical stories.

In the merit of Miriam the Prophetess, Moses' sister, the Children of Israel were accompanied by a well during the 40 years of their journey in the wilderness. However, when Miriam died, "Miriam's Well", as it came to be known, dried up, and there came a water crisis.  Out of fear that they would die of thirst, the people complained bitterly to their leaders, Moses and his brother Aaron.

G-d commanded Moses to take his staff and, together with Aaron, assemble the congregation and speak to the rock in the presence of the people so that it would give water. However, instead of speaking to the rock as G-d had commanded him, Moses hit the rock twice. For this, both he and Aaron were punished harshly. After 40 years of utter devotion and self-sacrifice in the leadership of the people and all the hardships they had endured together since the exodus from Egypt, they were not to enter the Promised Land with the people. G-d tells them the reason for the punishment: By hitting the rock and not speaking to it "… you did not believe in Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of the Children of Israel…." (Numbers 20:12)

Thus, the story ends tragically for Moses. In the year prior to his death, the 40th year of his leadership, he accused the people: "With me, as well, G-d became angry because of you, saying, you, too, shall not come there" (Deuteronomy 1:37) Neither Moses nor Aaron would be able to reap their reward and enjoy the realization of their dream in entering the Land of Israel together with the Children of Israel.

Coin Description
Obverse: Israel State Emblem, the face value, "Israel" in English, Hebrew and Arabic, mint year and mint mark, border inscription "Moses and the Rock (Numbers 20,11)" in the three languages,  a decorative element representing a water jug.
Reverse: To the right, Moses holds the staff with which he hit the rock, in the background is the rock from which the water gushed out. To the left are three of the people, two of them hold a jug, while one of the two fills his jug with water from the rock.

Design: Zvika Roitman