HOME | CONTACT US | DONATE LoginLOGIN Ask the RabbiASK THE RABBI
Chabad.org - Torah, Judaism and Jewish Info Ideas & Beliefs
 
Chabad.org » Ideas & Beliefs » Questions & Answers » Kabbalah & The Mystical » What is the Mystical Significance of the Star of David?


Share thisPost a CommentPrintSend this page to a friendSubscribe
41 Comments Posted

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.


Share thisPost a CommentPrintSend this page to a friendSubscribe
41 Comments Posted
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   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author
Rabbi Naftali Silberberg, a native of Detroit, is on the editorial team of Chabad.org. He resides in Brooklyn, NY, with his wife Chaya Mushka and their three children.

The content on this page is copyrighted by the author, publisher and/or Chabad.org, and is produced by Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with the copyright policy.
 

41 Comments Posted  |  Post A Comment
Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Dec 7, 2009
hexagram
Where does Jewish philosophy as represented in your article, or otherwise, intersect with the whole DaVinci code spin on the Star of David, as the blade and the chalice, or does it?
Posted By Anonymous, bloomfield, ct

Posted: Dec 7, 2009
Star of David or Menorah
I looked on line and many articles say that many Rabbis wanted the Menorah on the flag because that is the oldest Jewish symbol, but the Rothschild coat of arms had this symbol on it. And since the Rothschilds were donating money to the Zionist movement they adopted that symbol. Many articles also used Amos 5:26 - But ye have borne the tabernacle of Moloch and Chium your images, the star of your, god, which ye made to yourselves. I will also read Rabbi Naftali Silberberg's book. I am looking for the truth of this mystery not to offend.
Posted By Alethea, Margate, Fl

Posted: Dec 7, 2009
Re: Star of David vs. Pentagram
The difference is quite obvious-- the pentagram has five points, while the Star if David has six.

As for the unique meaning of the Star of David, that is what this article attempts to explain...
Posted By Naftali Silberberg (Author)



 


Kabbalah & The Mystical
Where Are All the "Worlds"?
How Many Names Does G‑d have?
What Are the Seven Types of Souls?
The Kabbalah Fad?
What is a Chassid?
The Kabbalah of Sleep
What Does 'Mazel Tov' Mean?
What Does 'Kenahara' Mean?
Do You Believe in the "Evil Eye"?
Is Astrology Kosher?
What Do Dreams Mean?
What is the Mystical Significance of the Star of David?
How Many Sefirot are Involved in Creation?
What's the Significance of the Number Eight?
Showing 4 - 17 of 17