Society & Culture - 8 November 2006

I did and it happened when I finally believed the Jewish prophecies of Isaiah 532:13-53vs12 He will be exaulted. He will first be marred more than any man. All we like sheep have gone astray and the Lord will make to light on him the iniquity of us all. He will lay down his life as an atonement for sins."
then I saw what he said from heaven after he resurrected from the dead and then asended unto heaven Revelation 1:1 and 3:19&20 "Behold I stand at your heart door, and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into him and have fellowship with him and be their friend, if they ask me in to forgive sins."
so I prayed "Messiah Jesus I am sorry for my sins, come into my heart and help me, be my friend, amen"
and a new life began for me-how about for you?

2006-11-08 10:40:30 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

Seeing Stars*

First Publication:
Jewish Free Press, November 20, 1997, pp. 6-7.

Bibliography:
J. Charlesworth, ed., The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Garden City, 1985.
N. H. Glatzer, Franz Rosenzweig, His Life and Thought, New York, 1961.
G. Scholem, Kabbalah, New York, 1974.
G. Sholem, The Messianic Idea in Judaism and Other Essays, New York, 1971.
J. Trachtenberg, Jewish Magic and Superstition, New York, 1970.
What pictorial symbol would you choose to represent Judaism?
If you were living in ancient times, it would probably be an image connected with Israel's most revered religious shrine, the Jerusalem Temple. Thus, when we survey the ornamentation on coins and funeral memorials from the Second Commonwealth era, we encounter representations of the Temple gates, incense-burners or musical instruments, and an occasional lulav and etrog. It was the seven-branched candelabrum that would emerge as the most widely accepted image of Jewish faith and peoplehood.

Conspicuously absent from the above list is the six-pointed star that is now referred to as the Magen David, the "shield of David." Indeed, our ubiquitous Magen David has only a dubious claim to authenticity as a Jewish symbol. It was not until well into the medieval era that anyone would have dreamed of associating it with Judaism--and the nature of that association was not necessarily a favourable or complimentary one.

The earliest known incarnations of the star of David are not found in Jewish sources, but in Christian and Muslim traditions, albeit in works that borrowed freely from Hebrew prototypes. In those sources, the shield is not associated with King David, but with his son Solomon. And the star in question has five points, not six.

According to a popular legend related by Josephus Flavius and in the Talmud, Solomon was able to exercise control over the demonic realms by means of a magical ring. The legends about King Solomon's ring were elaborated in extensive detail in "the Testament of Solomon," a Greek pseudepigraphic work of undetermined date. Several versions of this work contain precise descriptions of the ring, and in some of them it is described as a "pentalpha," a star composed of five interlaced A's. The pentalpha reappears in several Byzantine amulets.

Stories about the "seal of Solomon" were also mentioned by Arabic writers, and through them they became known to Jews. The twelfth-century Karaite scholar Judah Hadassi was apparently the first to allude to this magical sign by its alternative name, the "shield of David," a usage that might have originated in the Qur'an's depiction of David as a fashioner of armour.

For the most part, references to the shields of Solomon and David, and their use in occult practices, are found in non-Jewish sources, and they frequently reinforce the medieval stereotypes of a Jewish predilection for sorcery. This is not to say that Jews were totally removed from the practice of the magic. Like everyone else in those times, our medieval ancestors made ample use of protective amulets and mezuzahs, etc. Variations on the star shape--including the six-pointed kind--appeared with some frequency in those contexts. However there was nothing uniquely Jewish in such superstitions.


The earliest known appearance of the Magen David as a specifically Jewish icon was on the official emblem of the Prague Jewish community in the seventeenth century. By then the shield's association with King David had became sufficiently established for it to serve as a symbol of national pride. In the eyes of many gentiles, it presumably confirmed their suspicions that Jews were generally involved in the dark arts.

In truth however, it was the Christian adepts of alchemy and the occult who were most likely to draw upon Hebrew images, real or imagined, in order to lend their work an aura of authoritative mystery. This tendency gave rise to a widespread impression among outsiders that the Kabbalah was primarily a system of magic.

Nonetheless, the popularity of the Magen David spread rapidly over the subsequent years. The Jews of Vienna adopted it in 1655 to symbolize their own community, and following their expulsion in 1755 they bore it to their new homes in other central European towns. It did not take long for it to achieve immense popularity as a motif of synagogue ornamentation.

Of course in the eyes of Jews, the figure of King David has a special significance as the paradigm of national glory and the ancestor of the Messiah. In the latter part of the seventeenth century this motif was cultivated by the devotees of the mystical messiah Shabbetai Zvi, and the Shield of David would appear as a secret sign on amulets produced by the faithful, particularly after it had gone underground.

Thus there is no small measure of irony in the fact that, when nineteenth-century Jews were looking for a recognizable trademark to serve as the equivalent of the cross or crescent, their choice was a symbol whose associations with Judaism owed more to anti-Jewish stereotyping than to any meaningful links with our national or religious values.

However such is the vigour of symbols that, whatever their original purpose, they can be infused with profound and inspiring meaning. For Jewish nationalists, this occurred when the Zionist movement positioned it at the centre of their new national flag. In the domain of the spirit, the imagery of the six-pointed star stimulated Franz Rosenzweig to formulate a brilliant religious philosophy in which the realms of God, Humanity and the World are linked together through the religious axes of Creation, Revelation and Redemption.

Notwithstanding these development, my overall feeling is that the Magen David makes a poor choice of symbol. It has no tangible roots in Jewish tradition, and even evokes some themes that are antithetical to healthy Jewish values.

Let me therefore take this opportunity to issue a call to my readers to forgo the Star of David in favour of more authentic Jewish images the next time you are in the market for an item of jewelry or a wedding invitation. Perhaps the change can be accomplished if enough of us rally behind its banner--a banner that will, of course, display a menorah and not a Magen David.

2006-11-08 10:38:55 · 6 answers · asked by Soul saviour 4 in Religion & Spirituality

2006-11-08 10:38:29 · 18 answers · asked by Mr. Sky 6 in Other - Society & Culture

My heritage is Cherokee & Cheyenne Indian. Futhermore, why do so many Caucasian suffer from the "illusion of grandeur"?

2006-11-08 10:38:02 · 6 answers · asked by artbreezegirl 2 in Other - Cultures & Groups

I hate skinny people with money. They are stuck up and mean

2006-11-08 10:37:48 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Cultures & Groups

The truth that you are not the superior being and that there's someone or thing far superior than you? Is that why atheists are arrongant and immoral so they dont' have to worry about answering up to anyone?

2006-11-08 10:37:28 · 23 answers · asked by Believe me 3 in Religion & Spirituality

He believes in Jesus - he believes in the Bible - he's regarded as such by millions of people all over the world - he claims that everyone must do as he says because Jesus tells him so - so, how do I know for sure he isn't?

2006-11-08 10:37:08 · 16 answers · asked by Da Vinci's Code 3 in Religion & Spirituality

but people say Hes not real,you cant see him,you cant touch him.Well yes you can if you can breath,but you cant see your breath,I dont believe you are breathing,I cant see your breath.Jesus wants us to be his hands and feet,to do his work.Dont let this hate get to you,I know God is real,everytime I see a new birth,I know HE breathed air into those tiny lungs.If you want some of GODS love just breath.And just say hi

2006-11-08 10:36:20 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

Alexander Graham Bell's Wilderness Hillside Dreaming Sofa

2006-11-08 10:36:19 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Mythology & Folklore

what do you think abot about tall people asking question about you

2006-11-08 10:36:03 · 6 answers · asked by ? 5 in Mythology & Folklore

Please be specific, give historical accounts, and provide evidence for your arguments. I'm curious to see the responses from both camps.

2006-11-08 10:35:50 · 5 answers · asked by AM 3 in Religion & Spirituality

2006-11-08 10:35:19 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Society & Culture

okay don't get me wrong i have alot of rich friends and they are good people and don't wave their money around in your face but the ones who flaunt their mommy and daddies money really get on my nerves we are all people and they think that they are better than everyone else can someone please give me advice on how to deal with them cus there is one at my school who i just want to haul off and smack and sadly i can't miss another day of school other wise i would and risk getting suspended again for the third time this year

2006-11-08 10:33:35 · 6 answers · asked by Skittle 1 in Other - Cultures & Groups

My first removal of a question! Interesting. I came on here a couple of minutes ago, and found one of my questions removed.

It was as follows:

Do you think there is a Jesus fetish? Like if Jesus were alive would anyone want to have sex with him if they could?

In my opinion, completely innocent question. I was not bashing anyone, I was not cursing anyone. Fetishes exist and are embraced all over the world, that is a fact. Some sound absurd to other people, but the person who has the fetish consider themeselves innocent. I thought more people on this board could be more open minded, but I guess that is a huge societal problem.


Anyway, could anyone kindly answer my initial question, or post your thoughts on my first violation?

2006-11-08 10:32:57 · 4 answers · asked by ? 6 in Other - Society & Culture

As a child I made an evangelism bracelet that was 6 beads each color had a faith based meaning. Black was sin, red was Christ's blood, white was purity, ...what do green , blue and yellow stand for? Simple answers desired. Thank you for your help!

2006-11-08 10:32:06 · 10 answers · asked by coolmom 1 in Religion & Spirituality

If evolution is true, then where are the missing links? Can ANYONE show me some hardcore proof that, I repeat, has NOT been refuted? No wishful thinking, just proof.

2006-11-08 10:31:40 · 25 answers · asked by . 7 in Religion & Spirituality

You could never see your family again would you take it?

2006-11-08 10:29:51 · 40 answers · asked by graciegirl 5 in Etiquette

Tengo cinco primos. (favorito)
Vive con sus hermanas. (tres, querido)
Nuestra lección es larga. (difícil)
Invito a los jovenes. (veinte, bueno)
Tenemos seis amigas. (cansado, contento)

2006-11-08 10:29:32 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous in Languages

2006-11-08 10:28:54 · 4 answers · asked by Deena B 1 in Religion & Spirituality

I hate Christmas shopping

I don't like Christmas dinner

I don't like receiving presents at Christmas, because people only give you presents at Christmas so as not to be seen as a scrooge. And they always give you crap!

I don't like Christmas because there is always one family member that spoils it by getting completely drunk and starting arguments

I don't like Christmas because you feel forced to spend time with people (family members) you don't like

I don't like Christmas because it is all about commercialism

I don't like Christmas because of all the paper that gets wasted on wrapping presents and sending cards

And because of all the reasons I have mentioned I choose not to celebrate Christmas!

2006-11-08 10:28:51 · 54 answers · asked by Anonymous in Christmas

With oil inevitably going to run out and Americas refusal to prepare itself for that day will it go backwards into the dark ages. Are Americans worried or blinkered?

2006-11-08 10:26:35 · 11 answers · asked by j man 2 in Other - Society & Culture

What did Saint Raphael (archangel) do to become a saint?

2006-11-08 10:26:18 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

2006-11-08 10:26:13 · 13 answers · asked by yanceyholmes 2 in Other - Society & Culture

Why not advocate some kind of rational irenic between the two schools? Is the argument over naturalistic methods in science and ethics?

Higher rational beings need not the tools for warfare.

2006-11-08 10:25:20 · 12 answers · asked by AM 3 in Religion & Spirituality

for example: friends are like pillows, they are comforting.
they can be funny like friends are like banks, you can always barrow money from them. i can't use these because they were the teacher's examples. they can be sweet, sad, funny, anything. plz help. thanks and God bless you!!!

2006-11-08 10:24:15 · 1 answers · asked by Lacy L 2 in Other - Society & Culture

The paradox of our time in history is that we have
taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways,
but narrower viewpoints. We spent more, but have less,
we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and
smaller families, more
conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but
less sense, more knowledge, but less judgement, more
experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less
wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too
recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too
angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too
little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We
have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our
values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate
too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years to life not life to years. We've
been all the way to the moon and back, but have
trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour.We
conquered outer space but not inner space. We've
done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've
conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write
more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish
less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build
more computers to hold more information, to produce
more copies than ever, but we communicate less and
less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion,
big men and small character, steep profits and shallow
relationships. These are the days of two incomes but
more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These
are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway
morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and
pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to
kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom
window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when
technology can bring this letter to you, and a time
when you can choose either to share this insight, or
to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones,because
they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to
you in awe, because that little person soon will grow
up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you,
because that is the only treasure you can give with
your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and
your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and
an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from
deepinside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for
someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time
to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.

2006-11-08 10:23:46 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Society & Culture

2006-11-08 10:23:25 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Society & Culture

I'm not a real religious person, and have always been to embarrassed to ask any one but what is the difference between god and Jesus

2006-11-08 10:23:01 · 24 answers · asked by dcpixiedust 1 in Religion & Spirituality

2006-11-08 10:22:34 · 4 answers · asked by jules 2 in Other - Society & Culture

What would you do if you just broke up with your BF or GF and you were attarched to the same sex as you, but you where not gay or lesbian. What would you do?

2006-11-08 10:22:22 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender