NAVIGATION

ews played an important role in the development and improvement of the instruments and charts used by explorers to navigate the seas. Rabbi Jacob ben Makhir improved the quadrant, originally designed in the 12th century. In the 14th century, Rabbi Levi ben Gershom of Bagnols, France, devised a new quadrant which was used by Vasco da Gama, Magellan, and Christopher Columbus in their explorations. Jewish cartographers in Majorca, headed by the Crescas family, provided the geographical information on which the explorers so depended. Christopher Columbus’ crew consisted of a number of men of Jewish origin. His expedition was equipped with astronomical tables and instruments developed by Abraham Zacuto of Portugal, and other Jewish scientists.. Zacuto’s tables were also used by Vasco da Gama, Cabral, Joao de Nova, and Albuquerque.

Four stamps were issued in this series. The 10 prutot stamp depicts an ancient ship of Biblical times. On the tab is the drawing of a boat found in the catacombs of Beit Shearim. The tab inscription is: " … a navy of ships …" (I Kings 9: 26). The 20 prutot stamp depicts the Nirit, a typical ship used for the "illegal immigration" into Palestine before the establishment of Israel. On the tab is a flag bearing a Magen David in an oval. The tab inscription is: " … the way of a ship in the midst of the sea" (Proverbs 30: 19). The 30 prutot stamp depicts the cargo ship Shomron. On the tab is a circular emblem containing a pair of crossed anchors. The tab inscription is " … like the merchant ships … " (Proverbs 31: 14). The 1,000 prutot stamp depicts the Zim passenger ship, Zion. On the tab is shown the Zim flag and the inscription: " … that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over" (Isaiah 31: 16).