Hanukkah (Israel 2018)

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From Israel Post, October 9th:

Israel–USA Joint Issue – Happy Hanukkah

[Issue date: October 16, 2018, same as the U.S. version. Details on the U.S. version are here.]

Just 11 minutes after Israel declared its independence on May 14, 1948, American President Harry S. Truman recognized the new State. This action marked the beginning of a relationship based on common values and characterized by a deep friendship and mutual respect.

The special relationship between Israel and the United States is a key element in Israel’s political strength and power. This relationship also has strategic significance for the State of Israel.

In the early 1980’s, Israel was considered to be a strategic asset for the United States and was noted as such (1987) in legislation passed a year earlier as its main non-NATO ally.

The friendship between Israel and the United States is bolstered by the supportive American Jewish community and large portions of the American people.

The Hanukkah festival marks the Maccabean victory over their enemies – the Hellenistic monarchy of the House of Seleucus, as well as the miracle that took place in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. It is customary to light candles on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, setting them near the entrance to the home in order to make the miracle known.

In the year 167 BCE the Hellenistic king Antiochus IV forbade the Jewish residents of Eretz Israel to study the Torah and to perform the Jewish mitzvahs. Mattathias the Hasmonean and his sons led the people’s revolt against the cruel regime, and after harsh battles successfully freed Jerusalem and the Temple.

The Babylonian Talmud (tractate Shabbat 21:2) describes how the Maccabees found only one small cruse of pure oil, enough to light the Temple menorah for just one day. But a miracle occurred and the oil lasted for eight days, until more pure oil could be prepared. In honor of that miracle, it was determined that the festival would last eight days. For the Jewish people, the Hanukkah candles symbolize the victory of good over evil and of justice over injustice.

According to the USPS, the Israeli cancellation measures 1.25″x1.27″. —VSC

6 thoughts on “Hanukkah (Israel 2018)”

  1. It is great to have this joint issue and I suggest we have more of them. It might
    help to balance Trumps treatment of some of our best allies.

  3. The Israel Post website still has items up to only August 2018. Nothing on this stamp yet.

  4. Information from the USPS:
    The Israel postage is now on sale. The item number is 801217. It is only being sold in a pane of 15 for $35.00. FDC services should note that the Israeli stamp is larger than the U.S. one, “the stamps are [roughly] about the size of our Statue of Freedom stamps sideways.”

    • Thanks. I was wanting to get this because I collect joint issues. It was not listed on the USPS website, but was available through the 800 number (800-STAMP24). This saved me a lot of trouble because I was going to try to get it from Israel Post when it was offered there. I think I can get rid of the duplicates at my stamp club.

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