May 16, 2013 – For the first time in the history of Israel, the Ten Commandments are presented on a set of unique fine gold .9999 medals, just released by Israel Coins and Medals Corp. The set of ten medals is issued in a limited edition and comes in a handsome presentation case.
The common reverse of the medal set.
Designed by Ruben Nutels, the ten medals have been struck in Israel by Israel Coins and Medals Corp. – ICMC. Each medal in the set weighs 1/25 oz. (1.244g) of fine gold, measures 13.92mm in diameter and has an issue limit of 10,000. Each artistically represents one of the Ten Commandments. The medal reverse, common to all ten of the medals, bears the international logo of ICMC and gold fineness.
Moses with the Ten Commandments by Rembrandt (1606-1669), 1659. Source. Wikipedia.
The first five of the Ten Commandments are concerned with the relationship between Man and G-d, while the second five focus on the relationship between Man and his neighbor. The first five Commandments emphasize faith in G-d, the prohibitions to create any likeness of G-d or take His name in vain and the Commandments to honor the Sabbath and ones parents, who are partners with G-d in the creation of their children. The other five commandments relate to the prohibitions to murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness and covet the property of one’s neighbor.
The medal set.
Traditionally in Judaism, special importance is attributed to the Ten Commandments as headings for all the 613 commandments. The Ten Commandments are read three times during the year in the Synagogue, once during the Reading of the Law, when the “Yithro (Jethro)” Torah portion from the Book of Exodus is read, once when “Va’Ethannan” from Deuteronomy is read and once on the festival of Shavuoth, commemorating the time of the Giving of the Law.
The Medal Set is on sale at ICMC stores in Israel, in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beer Sheva and Ra’anana, and may be ordered online.