Paintings
The following paintings depict ancient Hebrew coins, with musical instruments which were used in the Temple ceremonies during the Hasmonean (Hashmonai) era.
Historically, coins from all countries depict governors. But the Hebrew coins tell us another story of everyday life; the farmer's life; the Seven Species; religious life; stories of culture and nature of The Land of Israel.
The ancient Hebrew coins discovered in archaeological excavations are used nowadays by the State of Israel as a model for temporary coins designing.
The musical instruments on the Bar Kochba coins express the longing to rebuild the Temple and restore its rituals. Prayers in the Temple were performed by the "Meshorerim" - the musicians of the Temple. These Meshorerim and their musical instruments are mentioned many times in Psalms.
Many of the Temple instruments depicted on Jewish coins appeared during the Bar Kochba War, (also known as the Second Jewish Revolt). The Temple's destruction now lay 62 years in the past with the First Revolt, and Bar Kochba's campaign revolved around the goal of rebuilding it and reinstating its rituals.
The Temple images were intended to galvanize Jewish pride, courage and resolution. Trumpets, as well as lyres and other stringed instruments were played by the Levites to accompany occasions for jubilation and praise, such as the Hallel prayer. Coins depicting these instruments on one side would, on the reverse, be stamped with wreaths of olive, laurel or palm branches, or grapes. All of the symbols on these coins related to the festive celebrations of Sukkot, in which the Temple was central.
Bank Of Israel website: About Israeli Coins
