Israel - Two medals Retirement - Meritorious Service - State Medal, 1982 - Silver ...

Israel - Two medals Retirement - Meritorious Service - State Medal, 1982 - Silver 935 , 22 g . 34 mm. First Medal: A man retires from work. For a long time his work occupied a major part of his life. He reaches the age of retirement, a stage in life that should be viewed with seriousness as well as appreciation. The entry of the pensioner into the world of retirement and his adaptation to the new life, are not always easy, in spite of all the social laws and the existence of institutions aimed at assisting him. Many of those who retire are filled with the problems of loneliness, exclusion from society and a loss of interest in the world outside of themselves. Paradoxically it is the worker who, all his life, was outstanding at his job, enthusiastic, responsible and devoted to it, who is most sensitive and prone to anxiety. It is vitally important that the person entering retirement will accept this step with joy and optimism. His supervisors, co-workers, family and friends must make him feel how much they appreciate him and how close they are to him and will remain so in the future. Those entering retirement must be helped to begin their new life on the right foot. The ""Retirement Medal"" is intended to express feelings of love, respect and appreciation of the individual who is retiring. It is meant to encourage him to continue his fruitful activities in other areas, no less exciting than his previous work, including volunteer work, communal activities and studies. Obverse: The passage in Hebrew ""And length of days brings understanding"" Job 12:12, in stylized letters and around the rim, the English translation. Second medal Israel - Honor the Elders - State Medal - 1982 - Silver 935 , 22 g . 34 mm. ""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. "