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-   -   Why does the star of David have 6 points ? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=420725)

  • Nov 30, 2009, 02:09 PM
    whatis
    Why does the star of David have 6 points ?
    The Jewish star has 6 points whereas the normal star is shown with 5 points
  • Nov 30, 2009, 02:28 PM
    Wondergirl

    Googling would get you the answer. Here's what Wikipedia has to say:

    According to Judaic sources, the Star or Shield of David signifies the number seven: that is, the six points plus the center. The earliest known Jewish text to directly mention the symbol is Eshkol Ha-Kofer by the Karaite Judah Hadassi, in the mid-12th century CE:

    "Seven names of angels precede the mezuzah: Michael, Gabriel, etc. ... Tetragrammaton protect you! And likewise the sign, called the 'Shield of David', is placed beside the name of each angel."

    The number seven has religious significance in Judaism, e.g., the six days of Creation plus the seventh day of rest, the six working days in the week plus Shabbat, the Seven Spirits of God, as well as the Menorah in the ancient Temple, whose seven oil lamps rest on three stems branching from each side of a central pole. Perhaps, the Star of David came to be used as a standard symbol in synagogues because its organization into 3+3+1 corresponds to the Temple's Menorah, which was the more traditional symbol for Judaism in ancient times. There are also six words in the Shema, the most important prayer in Judaism, and it is not uncommon to find the Shema written around a Star of David.
  • Dec 2, 2009, 09:39 AM
    whatis

    Thank you so much for taking time to explain the 6 points on the star of David.

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