What Is the Mystical Significance of the Star of David?

The Zohar (vol. III 73a) states, "There are three knots connecting [three entities] one to another: the Holy One, blessed be He; Torah and Israel." The Jewish soul connects to its Creator through the study and observance of Torah. The triangle represents the connection between these three entities.1

The essence of the soul connects with G‑d's essence through the study of the teachings of KabbalahThese three entities are each comprised of a pnimiyut (inner dimension) and a chitzoniyut (external dimension): The Torah is comprised of both exoteric teachings (the Talmud, Jewish law, etc.) as well as esoteric teachings (the Kabbalah). G‑d's "revealed" energy permeates and provides existence to all worlds, but His essence is completely hidden, transcending all of creation. Similarly, the soul (which is a reflection of G‑d2) has a revealed element, that level that expresses itself within and vivifies the body, as well as an essence that transcends the body.

The double triangle of the Star of David (Magen David) symbolizes the connection of both dimensions of G‑d, Torah and Israel: The external level of the soul connects to the external expression of G‑d via studying the exoteric parts of Torah; the essence of the soul connects with G‑d's essence through the study – and application of – the teachings of Kabbalah.

Another explanation:

Kabbalah teaches that G‑d created the world with seven spiritual building blocks—His seven emotional attributes. Accordingly, the entire creation is a reflection of these seven foundational attributes.

They are: Chesed (Kindness), Gevurah (Severity), Tiferet (Harmony), Netzach (Perseverance), Hod (Splendor), Yesod (Foundation) and Malchut (Royalty).

These attributes are divided into three columns: right, center and left:

Gevurah	Tiferet	Chesed
Hod	Yesod	Netzach
	Malchut

Correspondingly, the Star of David contains seven compartments—six peaks protruding from a center.

The upper right wing is Chesed.

The upper left wing is Gevurah.

Correspondingly, the Star contains seven compartments—six peaks protruding from a centerThe upper center peak is Tiferet. Kabbalah teaches that Tiferet finds its source in Ketter, "the Crown," which is infinitely higher than all the divine attributes which are involved in the "mundane" pursuit of creating worlds.

The lower right wing is Netzach.

The lower left wing is Hod.

The center is Yesod. Yesod is "Foundation," and as such all the other attributes are rooted in, and give rise from, this attribute.

The star's bottom that descends from its belly is Malchut—the attribute that absorbs the energies of the higher six attributes and uses them to actually descend and create everything—and "reign" over them.

FOOTNOTES
1.	The fact that in a triangle each of the three corners are connect to the two other ones demonstrates that the Jewish soul is itself knotted to G‑d. Torah study and observance doesn't create a connection between the Jew and G‑d—it merely brings it to light.
2.	As it is stated in Job (19:26), "From my flesh I can perceive G‑d."

By Naftali Silberberg

Rabbi Naftali Silberberg is a writer, editor, and director of the curriculum department at the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute. Rabbi Silberberg resides in Brooklyn, NY, with his wife Chaya Mushka and their three children.

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January 24, 2013

respectfully, I think the meanings outlined here are misguided.

Don't ask me why I think I know what I'm talking about, but I have a different idea about the Star of David.

Are we aware of any alternate interpretations of the elements represented by this symbol? Accepted or otherwise?

Ken Riel
Seattle

January 11, 2013

Actually the GT and the TT are actual magen davids and not hexagons if you look at the photos. G has nothing to do with G-d as the name Guanine is chosen by man and is not like a Hebrew name which according to Chassidus is the life source. None of this though interesting proves that David has a six pointed star on his shield which has been stated before.

Fred

January 9, 2013

DNA's G segment makes hexagonal nanoparticle

According to writer Liz Ahlberg in the Illinois alumni magazine, chemistry professor Yi Lu has used DNA segments to shape gold nanoparticles for use in medicine and electronics and materials science. The DNA alphabet A T C and G segments made gold nanoparticles of different shapes. A made rough round gold particles. T made stars of eight points according to the magazine illustration. C made round flat disks. And G made hexagons! G for the G-d particle?
I regret my Droid cannot figure out how to do commas and quotation marks...

Anonymous
w hartford

September 6, 2012

pure, crystalline structure of Magen David

Though science does not yet prove out the research of Masaru Emoto, Mr. Emoto has given us a sense of the elemental and very real connection between purity (of thought, intention and clean water) and the beautiful crystalline structures of frozen pure water. Two merged opposites- hydrogen and oxygen- created by G-d and the basis of all life. I prefer to think that the Magen David is, in fact, the expression of Hashem's pure creation ("...and it is good") and our human connection to Hashem's power and love when G-d's intention is honored through His mitzvot. Judaism is the elemental expression of Hashem. Our bodies are 70% water, and most of the earth is covered in water and depends upon it. When the water is impure, this 6 pointed crystalline structure, ie the 'snowflake', can't be formed. So Judaism represents this purity and our holy connection to G-d.

Yehudit
Olam Hazeh, Ein sof

September 6, 2012

It's amazing the emotion attached to this.

Both positive and negative. Yet, it is only a shape, symbol, piece of wood, metal or plastic. That's all. One day, I was so excited at a different senior place where I lived (where I thought no one was Jewish), and I saw a woman with a beautiful gold Jewish star necklace. I commented on it, how beautiful was her Jewish star. She said, in a huff, "Hmph. This is not a Jewish star. It is a snowflake!" And she stuck up her chin and turned away. Another time, I saw an elderly woman with a Jewish star and a hebrew word necklace, and asked if she was Jewish like me. She said no, but she loved Jewish people and had been to Israel and they put her name in Hebrew letters onto a necklace. She is still my best friend today, about five years later. She is now 92 years old. So to me, a Jewish star represents either friendship or hatred.

Karen Joyce Chaya Fradle Kleinman Bell
Riverside, CA, USA

September 5, 2012

star of david

Thank you for sharing your beautiful culture with us, it's enlightening!

Randy Gonzales

February 7, 2012

The six pointed star, in and of itself,

Has been used since way before King David and Solomon. Each culture or religion that uses it has a mystical significance of its own. Probably, this is one of the most popular symbols. Before WWII, it was used in some religions with the nazi sign in the middle. Oddly enough, the nazi sign was not originally evil. The hexagon shape, according to Wikipedia, has all sorts of symbolism built into it, including the elements of the earth (wind, fire, etc) and/or sexuality of male/female. It is also used to represent various gods. The symbolism mentioned in this article on Chabad.Org is interesting. This is not in Wikipedia, but can be added to it. I also felt antsy with this symbol, just as I did with the hand of protection symbol. It does feel as if it can be viewed as a sort of idol or amulet. Or, superstition.

Karen Joyce Chaya Fradle Kleinman Bell
Riverside, CA, USA

January 1, 2012

Star of David

One writer said it's been used by occultists.....really? The only such symbol I've ever seen was a pentacle and it's always upside down. Have never seen the Star of David used in witchcraft. Don't know why not, they're always trying to desecrate the Holy; as if that can be done!

renee
winchendon, ma.

December 30, 2011

the shield of david

I've worn the star of david for over four years and kept being questioned if i was a jew but i never had a clear response because i didn't know much about the religion but this has helped and find it really interesting and agree with the belief. I love the symbolism of the star.

talia

December 7, 2011

Anonymous of Silver Spring

Have said that several times in the comments and agree with you

Fred
Earth

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