The star of David?

Question

M. Hirsch Goldberg in his book The Jewish Connection states: " The Star of David is not of Jewish origin - and the ancient Israelites never used it as their religious symbol" (they used the Menorah or Seven Candlestick). So, why did the six-pointed star become known as the Jewish star? This symbol was widely adopted, not because the Jewish people chose it, but ironically because Adolph Hitler forced all Jews to wear a yellow six-pointed star during the holocaust.

To me its a symbol of Israel and its suffering at the Holocaust although it was used in magic earlier..

What is it to you?

Don't just say Pagan or witchcraft and run..like CJ. Give a credible source.

Actually CJ I spent the last 15 minutes trying to find something that backed up your claim. I HONESTLY cannot find anything.

You still have not given a source!

I cannot rip up my flag because a stranger on the net says so. Do you understand?

Answer 1

The Mogan Dovid [Star of David] shows up in several archaeological digs, pre 300 BCE [Before Common Era=BC], in Eretz Israel [the Land of Israel]. By the time of the Hasmoneans, it is fairly common throughout Israel and during the Greek and Roman Eras in the eastern Mediterranean, both inside and outside of Israel, it is part of the standard catalog of Jewish symbolism in many synagogues. Bar Kochba used it in the 2nd Jewish War. As a sign of shame and prejudice, Christian governments and the Church, from the time of Constantine and all through the Middle Ages, required Jews to be identified usually with yellow circle or Mogan Dovid. Almost all European synagogues used it somewhere in their decoration/architectural design. It was not until the ghettos walls came down with Napoleon that identification on ones body was eliminated, though most internal and external passports in European counties still identified people based on language and religious affiliation. As a symbol of Zionism, the Mogan Dovid was widely used before Hitler ever showed up on the political scene. Hitler's part is hardly insignificant, he did bring the Mogan Dovid to the attention of the gentile community, but the Jews were already well accustomed to it.

Answer 2

The Star of David is not of Jewish origin?...I have never of this before.

I'm just guessing, OK? But I will found out! I'm going to email the comment to the website below. My guess is, the Star of David came from the Star of Bethlehem when Jesus was born. Because He is the King of the Jews...and of all man kind!

The reply that I recieved:

There are many stories about the symbol. I believe it is a valuable and lovely emblem of my people. Some have chosen to denigrate the symbol as a means to denigrate the people represented by the symbol. However, it is wise to remember that it is just a symbol. Symbols take on meaning by those who interpret them. What does it mean to you? Just as the Cross has been used in other ancient cultures to represent something other than the Crucifixion, it is also true that many symbols have been used in other cultures that are not symbolic of what it means in our view. Do not be concerned about negative views toward a symbol that our people have embraced as something good. Rather, seek the value imbued in it by those who value the symbol in a proper manner.
Shalom,
Rabbi Randy Weiss


emesshalom (3 above me), please don't call the catholic church Christian. Because I don't hate the Jews like the catholic church does. And I am a Christian. Constantine was a catholic, not a Christian. I rather be a Jew a billion times over than to ever go back to being a catholic. And the hate that mama has for the Jewish people is just because the Jewish people would not allow mama to move to the Holy Land so it could proclaim to the world that the catholic church is God's chosen people and not the Jews.

Quoting the words of Abraham Lincolin about mama: They never forgive and they never forget.

Answer 3

David, my wife wanted me to get her a Star of David for her birthday a few years ago. Since I could not prove that it was any kind of religious symbol from the time of David, and the Bible eschews all symbols or idols of worship, I talked her out of it. (We are Torah observant Christians)

I have not had time to go back and do the research any further, but knowing the problems that God had in the Hebrew Scriptures with the Israelites worshiping the start of Molech, I think that it was prudent to not purchase one.

For the same reason I do not purchase crosses.

And, as of a few years ago, I do not purchase "heart" shaped jewelry anymore for her because of it's pagan conotations with a woman's genetilia.

So, i cannot give you a source on the Star of David, only personal decisions based on the research available.

Answer 4

These are trolls, not to be taken seriously. Or maybe they should be, because they show their true faces - that they are just Jews not even in disguise. You might want to check how many Sunni traditions have been taken after Jews, one example being the fasting on Ashura. Some traditions are found in Sunni books to the effect that the Prophet (saw) on migrating to Medina found the Jews fasting on the 10th of Muharram. He asked them why, and was told: "It is an auspicious day; it is the day when God delivered the children of Israel from their enemy (i.e. Pharaoh); and, therefore, Moses fasted on that day." The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, "I am worthier of Moses than you are." Thereupon, he fasted on that day and ordered (the Muslims) to fast. Sahih of al-Bukhari, Vol.3; Egypt ed.; p.54 That's something for the trolls to think about the next time they claim that Shia Muslims follow Jews.

Answer 5

The Magen David (shield of David, or as it is more commonly known, the Star of David) is the symbol most commonly associated with Judaism today, but it is actually a relatively new Jewish symbol. It is supposed to represent the shape of King David's shield (or perhaps the emblem on it), but there is really no support for that claim in any early rabbinic literature. In fact, the symbol is so rare in early Jewish literature and artwork that art dealers suspect forgery if they find the symbol in early works.

Answer 6

Morning Star.Star of David.The Star that led the wise men.Seems like there are a lot of mention of Stars in the Bible.As far as Hitler and the Star is concerned I don`t know,maybe just another example.

Answer 7

The Star of David dates much further back than Hitler. Jews were forced to wear it during the years they were confined to ghettos all over Europe during the dark ages.

Jews still wear the Star with pride.
.

Answer 8

I believe it originated with the Nazarenes. At one time I went with a friend to a Messianic Jewish religious service, which was held in a Nazarene Church. On the ceiling of the church was a star of David in stained glass. I don't believe it was any mere coincidence that a Jewish symbol was on the church ceiling, but that it was symbolic of the Nazarenes, and perhaps the Messianic Jews thought it to be appropriate for the practice of their religion.

Answer 9

I found this site - http://www.starofdavidshop.com/origins-star-of-david.html - although it is a store, it seems to hold a lot of info.

Another - with Biblical quotes - http://www.therefinersfire.org/star_of_david.htm

also known as Solomon's Seal - http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/1990_1999/1999/2/King%20Solomon-s%20Seal

What do I see when I see one? I see religious commitment, I see an older symbol, used religiously if not as a primary symbol for the Jewish, and I see a gang symbol - specifically the "Folks" nation - the Crips. The five pointed star is used as a gang symbol by the "People" nation - the Bloods.http://www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/gangs/sets.html

Answer 10

Correct. The legendary Star of David symbol was used by the Nazi's as a way to label and discriminate against Jews.
Now, it has become a symbol of pride and protection for Jewish culture and people everywhere, as well as the flag symbol for the modern state of Israel...