I want to know about the 'Star of David'.What does it signify?

Answer 1

Through our long and often difficult history, we have come to the realization that our only hope is to place our trust in God. The Magen David (literally "Shield of David") has six-points, which symbolize that God rules over the universe and protects us from all six directions: North, South, East, West, Up and Down. A similar symbolism is found in reading the "Shema." ("Code of Jewish Law" O.C. 61:6)

Thus, King David used this six-pointed symbol to signify that the Almighty shields him in war. (Rabbi Moshe Feinstein - "Igrot Moshe" O.C. 3:15)

A more practical theory is that during the Bar Kochba rebellion (1st century), a new technology was developed for shields, which used the inherent stability of the triangle. Behind the shield were two interlocking triangles, forming a hexagonal pattern of support points. If you've ever seen a Buckminster Fuller geodesic, you know how strong triangle-based designs are!

A cynical suggestion is that it is an appropriate symbol for the internal strife that often afflicts Jewish nation: two triangles pointing in opposite directions!

In Kabbalah, the two triangles represent the dichotomies inherent in man: good vs. evil, spiritual vs. physical, etc. The two triangles may also represent the reciprocal relationship between the Jewish people and God. The triangle pointing up symbolizes our good deeds, which go up to heaven and activate a flow of goodness back down to the world, symbolized by the triangle pointing down.

Another idea is that a cube, which has six sides, receives form and substance from its solid center. This inner core represents the spiritual dimension, surrounded by the six universal directions. So too, we see this pattern in the six-pointed star with it's hexagonal center. By the way, the same idea applies to Shabbat -- the seventh day which gives balance and perspective to the six weekdays.

As for the yellow, presumably this is an invention of the Nazis, who forced Jews to wear yellow stars so that they could be recognized from afar.

So whether it is a blue star waving proudly on a flag, or a yellow star in a concentration camp, the Star of David stands as a reminder that for the Jewish people... in God we trust.

With blessings from Jerusalem,

Rabbi Shraga Simmons
Aish.com

Answer 2

Hi, when the modern state was forming they needed a flag in a hurry to represent them. They were in a meeting talking about the formation of the modern state, and somebody posed the question, then what will be our flag? Then someone grabbed a cloth quickly and designed a flag with Jewish symbols on it and they displayed it at the meeting. They chose the blue stripes because that is the design and coloring that comes from the male tallit, a prayer shawl. And they further designed it using the Magen David because that has been a Jewish symbol denoting the "shield" of David. It is a flag for a modern country and all modern countries have things on them that show significance to them. I would not go by any other internationalist interpretation of another's modern flag. It's really not their place to determine what another's flag means and they tend to give it negative connotations for their own political or religious reasons, they try to "propagandize" it and give it other that its actual meaning. The people that live under the Israeli national flag are the ones best apt to interpret what the flag means to them and history shows that the intent provided at the time the flag was made meant "prayer shawl, shield of David." This interpretation comes from Israeli historical sources, directly when the flag was being produced for the first time, and they know best their intent on the flag and the meaning it has to Israeli people today. It is a beautiful flag and I think it is perfect for the Jewish and Democratic State of Israel.

Answer 3

Jews! Israel!

It is a generally recognized symbol of Jewish Community and Jewish beliefs and is also known colloquially as the Jewish Power. This usage began in the Middle Ages, alongside the more ancient symbol of the menorah.

With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 the Star of David on the Flag of Israel has also become a symbol of Israel.

According to some Judaic sources, the Star/Shield of David signifies the number seven: that is, the six points plus the center.
The number seven has religious significance in Judaism, e.g., the six days of Creation plus the seventh day of rest, the six working days in the week plus Shabbat, the Seven Spirits of God, as well as the Menorah in the ancient Temple, whose seven oil lamps rest on three stems branching from each side of a central pole. And so on. Perhaps, the Star of David came to be used as a standard symbol in synagogues because its organization into 3+3+1 corresponds to the Temple's Menorah, which was the more traditional symbol for Judaism in ancient times.

Exact origins of the symbol's relation to Jewish identity are unknown.

Blessings,
David

Answer 4

While generally recognized as a symbol of Jewish identity in the recent times, it was and still is used also in other historical, religious and cultural contexts, for example in Islam, in the Eastern Religions as well as in Occultism.

The hexagram is a Mandala symbol called satkona yantra or sadkona yantra found on ancient South Indian Hindu temples built thousands of years ago.

Another theory about the origin of the shape is that it is simply 2 of the 3 letters in the name David. In its Hebrew spelling, David contains only 3 characters, 2 of which are "D" (or "Dalet", in Hebrew). In ancient times, this letter was written in a form much like a triangle, similar to the Greek letter "Delta", with which it shares a sound and the same (4th) position in their respective alphabets, as it does with English. The symbol may have been a simple family crest formed by flipping and juxtaposing the two most prominent letters in the name.

Some researchers have theorized that the hexagram represents the astrological chart at the time of David's birth or anointment as king. The hexagram is also known as the "King's Star" in astrological circles, and was an important astrological symbol in Zoroastrianism.

In antique papyri, pentagrams, together with stars and other signs, are frequently found on amulets bearing the Jewish names of God, and used to guard against fever and other diseases. Curiously the hexagram is not found among these signs. In the great magic papyrus[citation needed] at Paris and London there are twenty-two signs side by side, and a circle with twelve signs, but neither a pentagram nor a hexagram.

Therefore, the syncretism of Hellenistic, Jewish, and Coptic influences probably did not originate the symbol.

It is also possible that as a simple geometric shape, like for example the triangle, circle, or square, the hexagram has been created by various different peoples with no connection to one another.

Answer 5

Star of David or Magen David, (Hebrew “Shield of David”). The Star of David is a six-pointed star made with two equilateral triangles and has been a symbol of Judaism since the 17th century. It is the central motif on the flag of Israel, and since 1897, the emblem of Zionism.

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Answer 6

In Alchemy the symbol for water and the symbol for fire come together and form the star of David. It is the union of opposites which is God. I can't speak for the Hebrews, only Alchemy here. It is an important symbol along with the cross and wings and crown. (Alchemy is older than any of these religions. It has nothing to do with making gold, only foolish people think that. It is a deep and very ancient spiritual process that transcends all religions.)

Water = a triangle pointed down. Fire = a triangle pointed up.

Answer 7

The "Star of David" refers to the prophecies of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. See Numbers 24: 17 and Micah 5:2

Answer 8

The 'Star of David',is believed to have been the logo on his battle shield.The symbol was originally started to be worn as a talisman to ward off evil.This practice was frowned upon by the orthodox,and maybe still is today because of the prohibition against graven images.

Answer 9

Jews say it was warn on the shield of David. but they have no idea what it means. if old pantings from hundreds of years ago contained that symbol it was decided the the painting is not authentic because that symbol is new to Jews. they probably just wanted a simple design to portray their religion. i don't know why they would choose a star though.

Answer 10

Star of David and chai charms worn around the neck or applied as ornaments on a variety of objects have lesser status. They serve a more parochial need: to remind the Jew of his Jewishness.