Passover

Passover
State Medal, 1991/5751

The Exodus from Egypt is mentioned 160 times in the Bible, and the commandments of the Torah are all connected with it. It is mentioned in the daily prayers because of its significance as the formative event which moulded the character of the Jewish people as a nation of free men. Passbver, the feast which commemorates the Exodus, is also called "Season of our Freedom" and the "Spring Festival", and celebrates renewal in nature and the human spirit. Families assemble around the Seder table and read Haggada, a collection of stories and prayers commemorating the Exodus. Symbolic foods on the Seder Plate include matza (unleavened bread), and bitter herbs, a symbol of slavery. The Cup of Elijah evokes the prophet, herald of the Messiah..

Obverse: The Seder Plate, depicting the Cup of Elijah and the six symbolic foods of the Seder: the shank bone of a lamb, haroset, bitter herbs, parsley, an egg, and horseradish. The word "PASSOVER" in Hebrew and English.

Reverse: Figures symbolizing the passage from slavery to freedom with matza in the background. On each side of the matza, one of the four words of deliverance from Exodus 6, in Hebrew: "I will bring you out; I will rid you out of their bondage; I will redeem; I will take you (to me for a people)".

Edge: State emblem with the words "STATE OF ISRAEL' in Hebrew on the right and in English on the left, with serial number. Bronze/tombac medal - "BRONZE" in Hebrew and English; Silver medal - "SILVER 935" in Hebrew and English. The gold medal is milled.

Serialization: The Bronze/tombac and silver medals are numbered.

Designer: Nathan Karp.

Engraving: Moshe Hecht

Mint: Bronze/tombac and gold - Hecht. Silver - The Government Mint.