The biblical story of Ruth is a story of loving kindness, faithfulness and love for people that touched millions of hearts. Starting with a family tragedy, it ends in happiness - the beginning of a royal family. When there was a famine in the land of Israel, one of the noble families of Bethlehem in the region of Judah decided to retreat from the hardships by moving to Moab. But the father of the family dies in Moab. Two sons marry Moabite girls, but unfortunately, they also die later. Mother Naomi, now a poor widow, was left alone with her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah. When the famine in the land of Israel is over, Naomi prepares to return. Ruth, who was a Moabite princess, attached herself to her mother-in-law, left her royal house and people, and returns to Bethlehem with Naomi. Tired and hungry, Naomi and Ruth had to survive by gathering crops in the fields. According to the law, the crops that fall during the harvest must be left for the poor. It happened that Ruth came to glean in the field of Boaz, who was one of the most respected men of Bethlehem and a relative of Naomi. Boaz was impressed by this modest girl and her exceptional kindness and married her. Thus began the royal dynasty that led to the birth of King David and, according to tradition, eventually led to the birth of the Messiah.

 

Obverse: Coat of Arms of the State of Israel, face value, "Israel" in English, Hebrew and Arabic, mint year and mint mark, inscription "Ruth in the field of Boaz" in three languages, center, decorative element depicting a stalk of barley.

 

Reverse: Ruth and Boaz in a grain field in Bethlehem, each holding a stalk of barley. The Judean Mountains are in the background.

 

Designer: Michal Hamawi Mizrahi