Masada

Masada
State Medal, 5725-1965

 Masada was built by Jonathan the Hasmonean atop a steep rocky precipice rising 450 meters above the Dead Sea. Herod added to the building and had it converted into a strong fortification. During the great revolt against the Romans, the last of the Zealots found refuge there after the fall of Jerusalem. They numbered 960 fighters, women and children headed by Elazar ben Yair. For three years they managed to hold out against the Roman armies who besieged them. When they concluded that all hope was lost, they set fire to the fortifications and committed suicide. On the first day of Passover in the year 73 C.E., two women-survivors told the conquerors all that happened and Josephus Flavius repeated it in his book "The War of the Jews against the Romans". The final emotional speech by Elazar ben Yair: "Our hands are not yet tied, they are holding spears. Let them be our final salvation. Let us die before we become the slaves of our enemies. We leave the world of the living, we, our women and children, as free people.") In the years before the State was established, Masada, which became a symbol of Jewish heroism, served as a pilgrim's shrine for youth and for "Haganah" members who took the oath: "Masada will not fall again". At the end of the War for Independence, the Israeli flag was raised atop Masada, and soon thereafter extensive excavations began there. Remnants of the wall were excavated and restored, as were towers and gates, the palace, baths. living quarters, storage places, the synagogue and water cisterns. The excavations also brought to light potsherds, weapons, coins, scrolls. Around the mountain there are still signs of the might of Rome, military camps, etc. On the west side are the remnants of the ramparts built by the conquerors.

Obverse: In the center, an ancient shield and on its raised center, the inscription: "Masada shall not fall again". The letters piercing forth as a series of towers, all of it reminiscent of a fortress. The English translation of the inscription is around the shield. Round the rim, a flowing model of figures, armed soldiers lending a hand in the excavation and restoration of Masada.

Reverse:A panel showing Masada. At the mountain base the signs of the Roman legions siege. Above the precipice a sentence from Elazar Ben Yair's speech: "We shall remain free men". Below, towards the edge, the English translation.

Edge: The State emblem and the words: "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English. The silver medals of 35, 45 and 59mm bear the word "Silver 935" in Hebrew and "Sterling" in English. Some of the silver 27mm diameter were minted "Silver 935" in error. The gold medals 27mm have "G916.6" while the 22mm have "G985".

Designer: Obverse - Nathan Karp. Reverse - The Shamir Brothers.

Engraving: Kretschmer. Tidhar Dagon: the 27mm medals and the 22 mm medals.

Mint: Kretschmer. Gold 22mm and Silver 27mm - The Government Mint, Jerusalem