Get Think Jewish Delivered to your Home or Office
HOME | CONTACT US | DONATE LoginLOGIN Ask the RabbiASK THE RABBI
Chabad.org - Torah, Judaism and Jewish Info Learning & Values
 
Chabad.org » Learning & Values » Questions & Answers » Kabbalah & The Mystical » What is the Mystical Significance of the Star of David?
PrintSend this page to a friendShare this
Comment60 Comments

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.

PrintSend this page to a friendShare this
Comment60 Comments
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 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.
 

60 Comments Posted  |  Post A Comment
Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Feb 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.
Posted By Karen Joyce Chaya Fradle Kleinman Bell, Riverside, CA, USA

Posted: Jan 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!
Posted By renee, winchendon, ma.

Posted: Dec 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.
Posted By talia

Posted: Dec 7, 2011
Anonymous of Silver Spring
Have said that several times in the comments and agree with you
Posted By Fred, Earth

Posted: Nov 25, 2011
I love this page, reading it I feel as though it were meant for me to find it.
Posted By Anon, nigeria, kaduna

Posted: June 10, 2011
Star of David
Interesting article. However, I would need more proof that the star of david is actually linked to to King David. I have searched my bible and have not found any evidence. The star of david is a hexagram. I know that occultist use hexagrams in their rituals. I just don't feel that the same symbol used by occultists would be acceptable to G-D. The star itself has no meaning or signifance.
G-d has made it very clear that no idols, amulets etc are to be used in his worship.
The attributes of the Star of David described are all a part of the worship of
G-d. The reverence of G-d is beyond symbols and rituals and even our small understanding.
Posted By Anonymous, silver spring, md

Posted: May 5, 2011
Magen David
This article was helpful in assisting me along my spiritual path ..... Thank you for teaching
Posted By Callie DiBenedetto, Columbus, Ohio/USA

Posted: Dec 27, 2010
star of david
very interesting
Posted By ameya narvekar, mumbai, india

Posted: Dec 24, 2010
star of David
amazing- even though i am a muslim, i can feel reverence and awe for the majestic symbolism of the Holy star of David

would love to know more about the Kabballah and star of david

regards and peace to those , who uploaded this valuable info and created the page

-A Fellow devotee
Posted By Anonymous

Posted: Dec 22, 2010
Star of Moloch
Amos 5:26: But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves..
could this possibly be the symbol? That would explain why it was used in ww2.I
If the Talmud, Sages no one records this as GOOD..why is it used? Do you think it is possible many people do not read the prophets and this is over looked?
Posted By deedee, brandon, fl



 


Kabbalah & The Mystical
What Are the Seven Types of Souls?
Is New-Wave Kabbalah Authentic?
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?
Why Are There So Many Stars and Galaxies?
Is There Anything Wrong with Sinful Thought?
Showing 6 - 19 of 19