The Star of David and Jewish Mysticism

[Yedidyah]

Nov 3, 2013 20:55:32 GMT -8 @eahaddix said:

[img src="img.photobucket.com/albums/v165/peek-a-boo/book.gif"]

[/img][/img] I've read that the Star of David is a Kabbalist symbol. Is this true? If so, how do Messianics feel about this symbol and Jewish mysticism in general? For example, where do Messianics draw the line between acceptable mysticism and excessive mysticism?

Mainstream Christians generally frown on mysticism, but many Messianics are quite open to it. I find this dichotomy between these perspectives very interesting.[/quote]
Shalom!
This is a great question.
Within all religions out there I have found a majority have a mystic background or an area of that doctrine that focuses more on over spiritualizing everything and this sometimes leads into unhealthy areas. Catholics have the Mystics and most Christians have a form of mystic teaching within their doctrine most just don’t know it or care to look into it. Look at Christmas and Easter which have been adapted as being something acceptable at most churches today yet they originated from mystic paganism and witchcraft which included human sacrifice and rape, hardley something you want to be mixed with the church. I think we should look into where things come from and use strong discretion on what we accept as fact or acceptable practice in our own beliefs. Kabbalah is not something I would personally recommend anyone to search out as a way of practice within their own lives but with that said there are some things I think Kabbalist use that are simply over spiritualized. We are Spirit and Flesh so to deny the Spiritual world is to deny our creator who made both; we must find a balance that agrees with what we learn in scripture to understand these things. Everything should be tested to the Word. The Star of David has been used as the Jewish symbol for many years, there is a tomb in Italy that is to be believed to be from the 3rd century which has the star on it. I believe It is hard to know for sure where it originated from but just because we see some use in Kabbalist circles does not mean it originated there. Here is some information on it, The Star of David at least since the 20th century remains associated with the number seven and thus with the Menorah, and popular accounts associate it with the six directions of space plus the center (under the influence of the description of space found in the Sefer Yetsira: Up, Down, East, West, South, North, and Center), or the Six Sefirot of the Male (Zeir Anpin) united with the Seventh Sefirot of the Female (Nukva).[17] Some say that one triangle represents the ruling tribe of Judah and the other the former ruling tribe of Benjamin. It is also seen as a dalet and yud, the two letters assigned to Judah. There are 12 Vav, or "men," representing the 12 tribes or patriarchs of Israel. So in the same way that some try to use it as a Kabbalist symbol it can also be used in many other ways depending on how one wishes to view its meaning. I see it as the national heritage of the Jewish people, there are few who don’t know the star of David is Jewish. In the same way that some fly the American Flag as a sign of patriots I see the Star of David the same way. We are grafted into Israel and it identifies us with being a part of Israel. I cannot find anything to prove it originated out of Kabbalah or any type of mystic superstition. I identify myself with my Jewish brothers and sisters and in doing so I support using the Star of David as a heritage of the Jewish people. In the way we do our morning prayers while tying tefillin, it is meant to be a sign of binding the physical body, the heart, the mind and the spirit into obedience with the Father. We say the prayer and part of that prayer is “And I will betroth you to me forever” (Hoshea 2:19-20) It is like a wedding ring you wear to show the world you are married. That mindset on the tefillin could be considered Kabbalist but I can’t find anything I would disagree within that context. In the same way the wedding ring shows belonging to someone I see the Jewish Star of David as a sign of belonging to Hashem, being set apart. Israel is His bride, why not show it openly?
So you asked “where do Messianics draw the line between acceptable mysticism and excessive mysticism?” I cannot speak for every Messianic, I can only speak for myself. I would say search it out in scripture and pray Hashem guides you with the Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) We are spiritual beings and to deny the needs of both the flesh and the spirit will leave one weaker without the other.
Romans 7:14 For we know that the is of the Spirit; but as for me, I am bound to the old nature, sold to sin as a slave.
The is of Spirit and Sin is slavery, when we walk in obedience to the Father we are walking in freedom freeing our inner spirit. There is always a physical and spiritual counterpart to everything we do. I hope this answers some of your questions. Shalom and Blessings!

Yedidyah

[alon]

Rav S did a short d'rash on this last night.

The Star of David, or Magan Dovid, is NOT a pagan symbol, nor is its' origens in Jewish mysticism. It isn't even a star- it is correctly the "Shield of David." We don't know if it was on his shield or where it originated. But it has been a symbol long before Kabbalah. It probably comes from a 6 point lilly, as this is usually how it is depicted. It did not come from a hexagon, as some quasi-intellectuals would have us believe. Rav S had pictures of monuments with the Magan Dovid and lilies inscribed in the motif. The 3rd cen synagogue at K'far Shua has such an inscription on a pillar. There is a 2nd cen floor mosaic with the Magen DOvid and, again, lilies. (Again, Rav had pics).


Jhn 6:59 (KJV) These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

This is one of 16 scriptural references to Yeshua and Capernaum. He lived and taught in the synagogue there; He read there. Excavations of the synagogue at K'far Nahum (Capernaum) found a Magen Dovid on the building. Yeshua would not have went to services or taught where there were pagan symbols on the building. That would be like you or I now joining a mainC church again, only worse!

We need to look hard at people who spread lies like this about Jewish symbols. There are several reasons, each of which we must deal with in our congregations or in talking with others.

It may be ignorance speaking. People repeat things like this without checking into it. Ohters may just push too much; throwing such accusations at us in order to discredit us.

Some may be proselytes or members who resent giving up their symbols, so they demand we give up something. Sounds petty, but it occurs. They don't think that we've already given up many of our own cherished symbols. Rav S listed some of his. Mine included a few hundred dollars worth of leather stamp dies and many leatherwork pieces, including one beautiful hand-carved Thunderbird on a round container. Also several things from my time in service which had graven images on them. So they, not me, will just have to get over it if I don't join in reviling this very Jewish symbol.

Many who push this idea are ant-Semitic. And yes, you will occasionally find that in people claiming to be Messianic. People who hate Jews hate Jewish symbols. These have no place in our fellowship, as they are evil. You cannot pretend to love God and at the same time hate His people.

So do not give in and throw away your Magen Dovid. The detractors need to learn to love it, and we need to know we are good to display it when and where we choose- in our homes, our synagogues, or on our persons.

Dan C