Martin Buber

Martin Buber
Official Medal, 2001/5761 Fifth in the "Jewish Contributors to World Culture" Series

Martin Buber (1878 – 1965) was born in Vienna and descended from a family of Talmudic scholars. When the Nazis rose to power, he made aliya to Israel. Buber translated the Bible into German. His publications on Hasidism brought him international celebrity and contributed to the enrichment of world literature. Martin Buber's philosophy influenced the philosophical and theological thought of the 20th Century. His most outstanding works were in the Philosophy of Dialogue. In his work "Ich und Du" ("I and Thou"), Buber distinguishes between different forms of relationships. The medal highlights the most outstanding works of Buber, one of the greatest philosophers of the 20th Century.

Obverse: Portrait of Buber on a lowered area on the left half of the medal, "Martin Buber" in Hebrew and English and below, Buber's signature, on a raised area on the right half of the medal.

Reverse: Two images of Hasidim dancing and one of a Hasid playing a fiddle, taken from the stories of Rabbi Nachman of Breslau. To the left, the inscription "Enlighten me through your music" in Hebrew and English.

Edge: State emblem with the words "STATE OF ISRAEL" inscribed in Hebrew on the right and in English on the left; the serial number and metal.

Designer: Ruben Nutels

Engraving: Kretschmer

Mint: Gold Medal: Government Mint, Jerusalem Silver and Bronze Medals: Kretschmer