The Star of David - Essay Example

The Star of David The star of has become the symbol of Judaism and of Jewish identity as its present on the flag of Israel becoming a symbol of one of the most ancient religious together with Christian cross and Muslim half-moon. The Star of David or a Jewish Star has a number of other names among them are: Seal of Solomon, Shield of David, and Magen(Mogen) David originally in Hebrew. The history of this symbol is not single-valued and definite as being mentioned in a number of rabbi literature and old Hebrew scriptures there has been found none historical and material proof of its use in Ancient Israel and Middle East. What is more interesting is that these signs have not been found even after the death of King David. The first historical evidence of Star of David is referred to the third century A.D. and it was found on the tombstone in Italian city of Taranto. In literature it's not mentioned until the twelfth century A.D. and it was first found only in the Eshkol ha-Kofer of the Karaite Judah Hadassah (12th century literary Hebrew piece): "Seven names of angels precede the mezuzah: Michael, Gabriel, etc.... Tetragrammaton protect thee! And likewise the sign called 'David's shield' is placed beside the name of each angel." Hebrew historians note that the Star of David appeared on Jewish amulets approximately in the twelfth century. It was signed on amulets on the hand with other symbols such as pentagrams, stars, the name of god in Hebrew, etc. Nevertheless it's very interesting and probably strange that pentagram, not the hexagram (the Star of David) was mostly spread in magic symbols and attributes of Jewish cult. Scientists and archeologists are not even sure if the Star of David had any similar origins in any culture of ancient Mediterranean: Hellenic or Coptic. Some of historians assume that it might be primary used by Jewish sect of Kabbalah which adopted hexagram from Templars. Jewish sect of kabala uses David star as amulets placing it in glass spheres or using it simply as an amulet and sigh. The spread of usage of Star of david begins in the 14th century in Jewsih communities of Europe. It's a well-known fact that the Star of david was used as decoration on Tanakh of Rabi Rabbi Yoseph bar Yehud ben Marvas from Toledo, Spain. The function of Star of David in synagogues was to carry protective magic powers against evil. It also becomes the element of architectural ensemble in synagogues. Hexagrams are found in ornaments of cathedrals in Brandenburg and Stendhal, but it's interesting that in the ancient Jewish temple of Tell Hum it's not present and pentagram is present on its walls instead. It's a historical fact that the Czech king of bohemia Charles IV issued the red flag with Shield of David to Juwish community of Prague in 1354. But Jews of Hungary had a red flag with pentacles. So it would be inaccurate to talk about hexagram as the symbol of Judaism and Jews back then. Moreover the majority of people in Middle Ages associated Jews with menorah rather than with another symbol of their identity. The choice of hexagram according to modern rabbis was not sudden, as Bible scriptures have enough evidence that salvation will be associated with star. No wonder that geometric figure close to star was chosen for the role now played by the Star of David. As it was mentioned above Torah tells that, the Messiah, will have association with star, symbolizing coming new era. And according to Old Testament Balaam had foretold the coming salvation of the people of Israel n following scriptures: "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star (Heb. Cochav) shall come forth from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel, and shall crush through the forehead of Moab, and tear down all the sons of Sheth. Numbers 24:17" (from Kasdan, Barney THE STAR OF DAVID http://www.kehilatariel.org/tract002.html) As for the meaning of the Star of David it's different for Judaists and for those who observe the cult of Kabala. Rabi describe its meaning as the symbol of unity with god: "In addition to such legends about Solomon's ring, medieval Jewish magical texts spoke of a magic shield possessed by King David which protected him from his enemies. According to these texts, the shield was inscribed with the seventy-two letter name of God, or with Shaddai (Almighty) or *angelic names, and was eventually passed down to *Judah Maccabee. The 15th-century kabbalist, Isaac Arama, claimed that Psalm 67, later known as the "Menorah Psalm" because of its *seven verses (plus an introductory verse), was engraved on David's shield in the form of a menorah. Another tradition suggests that Isaiah 11:2, enumerating the six aspects of the divine spirit, was inscribed on the shield in the outer six triangles of the hexagram. 3 In time, the hexagram replaced this menorah in popular legends about David's shield, while the five-pointed pentagram became identified with the Seal of Solomon." (from Ask the rabbi Star of David available online: http://judaism.about.com/library/3_askrabbi_o/bl_simmons_starofdavid.htm) 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). But for observes of cult of Kaballah its meaning is pretty much the same as for other eastern followers of occult and various religions: "Because of its geometric symmetry, the hexagram has been a popular symbol in many cultures from earliest times. Anthropologists claim that the triangle pointing downward represents female sexuality, and the triangle pointing upward, male sexuality; thus, their combination symbolizes unity and harmony. In alchemy, the two triangles symbolize *"fire" and *"water"; together, they represent the reconciliation of opposites. Some medieval alchemists even borrowed the talmudic pun - ish mayim, fiery water, and shamayim , heaven - to demonstrate the interpenetration of the two realms. Because if this symbolism, the hexagram was even used occasionally as the emblem displayed above a brandy shop." ( The Star of David, article available online: http://www.menorah.org/starofdavid.html) Jews in Europe considered the Star of David to have magic protective powers, as it protected David and Solomon from demons. So right after democratic reforms in Europe in the eighteenth and nineteenth century Jews began to use it as symbol of their communities like the cross used by Christians. Nowadays its also the symbol of official Israel. Nevertheless Jewish Orthodoxies are against using of hexagram which symbolizes magic and occult as it contradicts the holly scriptures according to their strict views. Others also mention that hexagram has a relation to Zoroastrianism, which is practiced in Iran. In the religion of Zoroastrians hexagram is among important astrological symbols which is sometimes called a King's star. Hexagram is present in the literature of Arab civilization even in pre-Muslim period, but is referred as a symbol of devil. Hexagrams are also present in Eastern pre-historic religious of India and Persia, mostly in Vedic cultures. But the meaning of this symbol in these religions has not been studied quite well. Before becoming the official symbol of Israel, the Star of David got a reflection in the official seal of the United States, as the starts which symbolize first thirteen colonies are designed in the form of hexagram and they form a hexagram. Most historians argue that it was designed as a gratitude to Haym Solomon (1740-1785), Jewish financier who sponsored Continental army during the War for Independence. Others think that it was caused by the fact that "fathers of the nation" acknowledged the Hebrew Bible and Old testament considering them to be the guide in everyday life. During Nazi Holocaust Yellow and White David Star patch was used to mark Jews on the occupied territories by Fascists. Everyone older than 6 years old had to wear that kind of patch. Hexagram became the symbol of a religious sect of Raelism, a set of beliefs which unite basic Hebrew beliefs about god, clone engineering and reincarnation beliefs which would allow achieving immortality. The symbols of realists had become an issue for a number of contra versions and debates as they combined swastika with the Star of David so that swastika is in the middle of the star. Raelians say that they use Buddhist swastika, which symbolizes eternal dynamics of the universe and motion, not one used by fascists. Nevertheless under a number of debates and confrontations realists had to refuse from the idea to use swastika as their emblem in order to open "their embassy" in Israel. The Star of David, or a hexagram being a geometric figure of excellent symmetry had rose the interest of generations and became the object of discussions, cult and symbol of identity. References: 1. Star of David, Article Wikipedia available online: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_of_David 2. The Star of David, article available online: http://www.menorah.org/starofdavid.html 3. Ask the rabbi: Star of David, Article available online: http://judaism.about.com/library/3_askrabbi_o/bl_simmons_starofdavid.htm 4. Kasdan, Barney THE STAR OF DAVID http://www.kehilatariel.org/tract002.html 5. Star of David/Hexagram, Artilce available online http://www.nisbett.com/symbols/star-david.htm The Star of David Symbol of Raelians religious sect(before and after 1991) Read More