Star of David
Question
This fellow said that the Star of David is demonic. What???? He associated it was associated with a pagan G-d...I believe he said Moloch.
Please clear this up for me.
Your time is greatly appreciated,
Jennifer L. Corey
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
As I think you know, do not believe anything you see on the internet about Judaism until you ask a rabbi, as you have.
There is no truth to what you heard. However, I will share with you some thoughts on the Magen David / Star of David.
No one is quite sure where the Magen David, the “Shield of David”, originates from. The earliest archaeological source testifying to the common usage of a Magen David is from remains found in an ancient synagogue in northern Israel dated to the 6th century BCE. Today, the Magen David, which consists of two interlocking triangles, is to be found on Jewish ritual items and accessories of all kinds.
There is a theory that the phrase “Magen David” is to be taken literally, and that it refers to an actual shield that King David used in battle, though this is highly improbable. Indeed, this theory is refuted by a credible tradition that there was a Menora engraved upon the shield which King David used in wartime. As such, it is highly unlikely that the word “magen” is to be taken literally, referring to a shield used in battle. Nevertheless, perhaps this idea can be expanded to suggest that the Magen David, with its six points along with its center space, is actually intended to allude to the Menorah and its seven branches.
Therefore, the word “Magen” is likely referring to some sort of spiritual and not physical – shield. Alternatively, it may merely another word for “badge” or “banner” which represents “David” and by extension, the Jewish people. In fact, throughout history, Jews would go to war not only with physical weapons but also with with spiritual ones, such as prayer and the conviction that it is only with G-d’s assistance that victory can be assured.
It may just be, however, that the armour used during the Bar Kochba era was engraved with a Magen David. Indeed, it is interesting to note that the name “Bar Kochba” means “Son of the Star”. There are also legends that the Macabees engraved a Magen David on all their battle gear. It is also interesting to note that in the 1500’s the Jewish community of Prague was represented by a flag with a six pointed star in its center.
There is a theory that the Magen David may be linked to a verse in the book of Tehillim where there is an allusion to Jewish kings using that symbol as their banner. A six-pointed triangular figure is said to have represented royalty in ancient times. It is also intended to recall that a Jew is to receive his inspiration from all six corners of the world and that God’s dominion extends in every direction. Incidentally, when one recites the Shema one is to have in mind that G-d rules over all six directions of the world.
According to kabbalistic interpretation, the two triangles which make up the Magen David represent the physical and spiritual worlds respectively, as well as the relationship between G-d and mankind. The ten sefirot of kabbala were often represented within the sketch of a six pointed star.
From the days of the Arizal, people had the custom of making and wearing amulets with a Magen David. Yet others argue that the roots of the six pointed star originate from the book of Isaiah where the six aspects of G-d’s spirit are described.
