Bat Mitzva

Bat Mitzvah
State medal, 5738-1978

Jewish tradition has it that a girl who passes her twelfth birthday by one day, is a "Bat Mitzvah". Sources in Judaism reveal that in days of yore girls, too, celebrated their "Bat Mitzvah". The celebration has recently been revived in many Jewish communities around the world. Judaism did not wish to impose the entire burden of observing all the commandments upon a girl (later, on the woman) and relieved her of such observances that are connected with various occasions because women bear the burden of raising children. On the other hand, there are observances for girls and women only such as the kindling of the Sabbath candles.

Obverse: A girl's head facing two Sabbath candlesticks with candles. Around the rim, the verse "Arise shine for thy light has come", Isaiah 60:1, in Hebrew and in English.

Reverse: The State emblem and the twelve tribal emblems.

Edge: The State emblem and the words "State of Israel" in Hebrew and in English. The silver medals bear "Silver 935" in Hebrew and "Silver" in English. The gold medals of 22mm bear "G 585". The edge of the 30 and 13mm medals, are milled.

Serialization: All medals with a smooth edge are numbered.

Designer: Obverse - Benzion Rotman. Reverse - Rothschild and Lippman ("Roli").

Engraving: Kretschmer.

Mint: Bronze - Kretschmer: from 1-4,000. Hecht: from 4,001 on. Silver and Gold 22mm and 30mm - Israel Government Mint, Jerusalem. Gold 13mm - Hecht and Tadgraph.