The Jerusalem Vow, Western Wall Coin

This verse is one of the most powerful expressions of longing and fidelity in the Hebrew Bible. Written during the Babylonian Exile after the destruction of the First Temple, it is a solemn oath never to forget Jerusalem, making the city the ultimate source of joy and identity. To forget Jerusalem would be to lose one's very essence and skill—a fate worse than paralysis. This oath has echoed through generations, embodying the centrality of Jerusalem to the Jewish soul.

* **Original language**: "אִם אֶשְׁכָּחֵךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָם תִּשְׁכַּח יְמִינִי"

* **Transliteration**: *Im eshkachech Yerushalayim, tishkach yemini*

* **Translation**: "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning."

Visible behind the Wall is the iconic golden dome of the Dome of the Rock, an Islamic shrine built in the 7th century CE on the Temple Mount. The Temple Mount itself is the holiest site in Judaism, the location of both the First and Second Temples. Its inclusion in the design provides geographic and historical context, illustrating the proximity of sites in Jerusalem's Old City.

This phrase encapsulates the biblical concept of the Land of Israel as the territory promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is a land set apart, destined to be the stage for the unfolding of the Jewish people's national and spiritual destiny.

This inscription is a direct quote from the Torah, articulating the nature of the relationship between God and the people of Israel. It states that Israel was chosen not for its size or power, but out of God's love and His faithfulness to the oath made to the patriarchs. This selection designates Israel as a "holy people" and a "treasured possession" (*Am Segulah*).

* **Original language**: "כִּי עַם קָדוֹשׁ אַתָּה"

* **Transliteration**: *Ki am kadosh ata*

* **Translation**: "For you are a holy people"

The coin features a map of the modern State of Israel, filled with micro-text from the Hebrew Bible. This design connects the contemporary reality of the state with its foundational spiritual and historical texts. At the heart of the map is a small heart, signifying that the love for the Land of Israel resides in the very core of the nation's identity.

The dove, carrying an olive branch in its beak, is a near-universal symbol of peace and hope. Its origins trace back to the biblical story of Noah, when the dove's return to the ark signaled the end of the great flood and the renewal of life on earth. In this context, it represents the eternal aspiration for peace in the Land of Israel.

This element combines two of the most recognizable symbols of Judaism. The Star of David (Magen David) is the emblem of the modern State of Israel and a widely acknowledged sign of Jewish identity. Within it rests the Menorah, the seven-branched candelabrum from the ancient Temple, a symbol of divine wisdom and light that has represented Judaism for millennia. Their union here powerfully links the ancient faith with the modern nation.

This triumphant phrase is a modern declaration of Jewish endurance and resilience. Popularized in the 20th century, it became a rallying cry affirming the eternal nature of the Jewish people, especially in the face of adversity. It is a powerful statement of life, continuity, and the unbreakable spirit of the nation.

* **Original language**: "עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי"

* **Transliteration**: *Am Yisrael Chai*

* **Translation**: "The people of Israel live"