Behind the scenes of the 770 stamp in Israel

At first the Postal Authority had offered Chabad to issue a stamp with a picture of the Rebbe but Chabad rejected the offer because the Rebbe himself had once rejected such an offer.

The Hebrew news site NFC has disclosed the negotitations behind the scene that led up to the issuing of the special 770 stamps in Israel. At first, NFC writes, the Postal Authority had offered Chabad to issue a stamp with a picture of the Rebbe but Chabad rejected the offer because the Rebbe himself had once rejected such an offer.

The Rebbe’s refusal to such a stamp goes back to the time when an offer was made to issue a stamp with the Previous Rebbe’s picture but the Rebbe refused, apparently because when you paste the stamp you sometimes smack it, NFC writes.

Therefore, the former Chairman of Agudas Chasidei Chabad in Israel, Rabbi Shlomo Madanchik OBM, suggested to the Postal Authority to issue a stamp of the 770 building which is a symbol of disseminating light all over the world. Rabbi Madanchik was related to PM Ariel Sharon, his daughter is married to Sharon’s nephew, Rabbi Ofer Maidovnik, a “mashpia” in the yeshiva of Tsfas.

The offer was made three years ago and was confirmed last year. The stamp will be issued to the public by the end of this month.

Much effort was exerted to draw up the stamp which will be printed on beautiful gold paper. On the stamp is an illustration of Lubavitch World Headquarters 770 and on top there are gold letters Chochmo Binah Daas. In the background one sees a picture of the globe to illustrate the this is a center that spreads light throughout the entire world. At the bottom there is a drawing of Shabbas candles on one side and Tefilin on the other with the words “Ufartzto” in between. The Rebbe mentions in one of his sichos that 770 [chinfo edit: FORATZTA (to spread forth)] is the numerical equivlent of 770.

The stamp will cost 2.50 shekalim, a level higher than an ordinary stamp in Israel. The stamp was designed by Dana Zaide, an expert in stamp drawing. The day the stamp will be issued it will come with a cover that will explain the significance of 770.