Star of David
At the entrance gate to the historic Launceston Synagogue, there is a Star of David on each of its pillars. It is a potent symbol of Jewish identity in a way you probably never knew.
"Many explanations have been suggested, but none is universally accepted. According to the Zohar, a medieval book of Jewish mysticism, the six points of the star represent the six male sefirot (attributes of God), in union with the seventh sefirah of the female (the center of the shape).
A more modern, existentialist commentary on the Star of David was advanced by the philosopher Franz Rosenzweig in the Star of Redemption, which he wrote on postcards during World War I. Rosenzweig described two interlocking triangles — the corners of one representing creation, revelation, and redemption; the corners of the other representing Man, the World and God."
What we do know historically is that this star was first imposed upon Jewish people as a stigmatic mark. In the Jewish section of Vienna during the 17th century city officials marked it with a hexagram. At the turn of the 20th century the new Zionist movement claimed it as a mark of identity. Most tragically of all, during the reign of the Nazis the Star of David was used to identify Jews who were soon sent to the death camps.
www.myjewishlearning.com/article/star-of-david-hot-topic/
The lesson for us today is simply this. Everyone has a right to Freedom: The Freedom of Religion, the Freedom of Speech, and the Freedom of Association. But beware of authorities who want to find ways to limit your freedoms! And most especially be wary of those which seek to brand you with some label of their choosing. These people are agents of the devil.
Star of David
At the entrance gate to the historic Launceston Synagogue, there is a Star of David on each of its pillars. It is a potent symbol of Jewish identity in a way you probably never knew.
"Many explanations have been suggested, but none is universally accepted. According to the Zohar, a medieval book of Jewish mysticism, the six points of the star represent the six male sefirot (attributes of God), in union with the seventh sefirah of the female (the center of the shape).
A more modern, existentialist commentary on the Star of David was advanced by the philosopher Franz Rosenzweig in the Star of Redemption, which he wrote on postcards during World War I. Rosenzweig described two interlocking triangles — the corners of one representing creation, revelation, and redemption; the corners of the other representing Man, the World and God."
What we do know historically is that this star was first imposed upon Jewish people as a stigmatic mark. In the Jewish section of Vienna during the 17th century city officials marked it with a hexagram. At the turn of the 20th century the new Zionist movement claimed it as a mark of identity. Most tragically of all, during the reign of the Nazis the Star of David was used to identify Jews who were soon sent to the death camps.
www.myjewishlearning.com/article/star-of-david-hot-topic/
The lesson for us today is simply this. Everyone has a right to Freedom: The Freedom of Religion, the Freedom of Speech, and the Freedom of Association. But beware of authorities who want to find ways to limit your freedoms! And most especially be wary of those which seek to brand you with some label of their choosing. These people are agents of the devil.