Honor the Elders

Honor the Elders
State Medal, 5742-1982

"At seventy , one is aged, at eighty, one has endured" - Ethics of the Fathers 5:21.
Youth has passed
How honorably age has risen
Our heads the Diadem of grayness has crowned
For age has crept up
On our hands and beard.
(Freely translated from Meshulam De Fiara of Gerona, Spain, 13th century.)
In Jewish tradition, the word "elder" denotes also "dignitary" "leader", "servant", and "scholar." The Jewish people regard age with full respect, for the Torah bids us: "Rise before the hoary head and do honor to the elder" (Leviticus 19:32). Our sages explain, "He who honors the elderly honors God." By Halachah we are obligated to rise when a 70 year old or more passes us, without regard to sex, faith, wealth, or wisdom.
On the medal there is an expression of affection, honor and esteem for one who has reached "the distinguished ornament of old age" as well as a prayer for many more fruitful years.

Obverse: A figure of a tree fashioned by the words from the verse: "They still bring forth fruit in old age" - Psalms 92:1 5. On the rim, the English translation.

Reverse: The verse: "For as the days of a tree shall be the days of my people (Isaiah 65:22), in Hebrew and English. Upon a background of a wide tree stump.

Edge: The State emblem and the words: "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English. The silver medals bear "Silver 935" in Hebrew and "Silver" in English. The gold medals are milled.

Serialization: Bronze and silver.

Designer: Gideon Kaich.

Engraving: Moshe Nov.

Mint: Israel Government Mint, Jerusalem.