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This post presents a picture and basic explanation of Sir Moses Montefiore’s Coat of Arms, which features symbols of Judaism and the Land of Israel, including a lion, hills, and a cedar tree, alongside the word “Jerusalem” written in Hebrew, and the motto “Think and Thank.” The Coat of Arms illustrate’s Montefiore’s identity as a patriotic Englishman, proud Jew, and lover of the Land of Israel. To see a full article explaining the historical development of the Coat of Arms, registered in Great Britain in 1819 and based on the Italian Family Crest of the Montefiore family, visit the website of the Montefiore Winery.
MONTEFIORE FAMILY CREST IN ITALY
By the mid-18th century, the Montefiore Family Crest took a firmer shape. The main features were still the lion and hills, and by now also a palm tree. Each was accompanied by an appropriate text in Hebrew, translated below.
The Lion: “Be strong as a lion to perform the will of your father in Heaven.” (Pirke Avot 5:23)
The Hills: “When I lift my eyes to the hills I ask from where comes my help? My help comes from the Lord.” (Psalm 121:1)
The Palm Tree: “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”(Psalm 92:12).
Incidentally, the palm tree and lion were early emblems of the hill town of Montefiore Conca, in the Romagna region of Italy. This is possibly where the Montefiores came from, or a place they passed through. The palm was later changed to a cedar tree. The text from Psalm 92 caters to both options.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE COAT OF ARMS IN BRITAIN
SYMBOLS OF JUDAISM AND ISRAEL
The Montefiore Coat of Arms conformed to the rules of British Heraldry, but there were a few additional details featured, which may be also considered symbols of Judaism and Israel. The two Stars of David, Hamsa (aka ‘Hand of Miriam’), Lion of Judah, and even the selection of the stag and lion as supporters, were specifically chosen. Most noticeable of all, were the three banners, each with the word Jerusalem on them, written in Hebrew. This was quite a statement in the England of the 19th century.
The image of the lion holding the banner with the word ‘Jerusalem’ in Hebrew, was used by Moses Montefiore as a shortened version of his Coat of Arms. Later this very same image was to become the emblem of modern Jerusalem.
