Question:
What does the Star of David symbolise? Why is it considered the Jewish symbol?
Answer:
There are many secrets hidden in the Star of David. One is that it is an image of the spiritual rhythm of time.
Jewish time revolves around the concept of Shabbos - the Sabbath, a day of rest. The Shabbos is not just a weekend; it is a day of spiritual renewal. Because all week we work, study and are involved in our mundane activities, we don't have as much time to think about what is really important - our loved ones, our life direction, our soul. We can sometimes be caught up in an empty routine that seems endless.
Shabbos gives us a chance to stop and focus on why we do what we do. Instead of being outwardly focused, for one day a week we turn inwards. For six days we may call ourselves consultants, investors, mechanics or students; on Shabbos we are just human beings. For six days, we challenge ourselves to achieve, invent and develop; on Shabbos we appreciate ourselves and our loved ones not for what we have achieved, but simply for the people we are.
Shabbos is not just another day of the week; it completes the week, it gives the other six days purpose, shape and meaning. Without Shabbos, our week is a disjointed series of days, a monotonous cycle; with Shabbos, time itself has purpose, the weeks spiral upwards and every day fits into the prism of a meaningful life. On Shabbos, we replenish our soul-powers, so we can face the week ahead with renewed vitality and spiritual clarity.
This is all hidden in the Star of David. Look at its shape. It has six little triangles, each one facing outwards in different directions, that converge to create a hexagonal space in the middle.
The triangles represent the six days of the week, when we are outwardly focused; the inner space is the Shabbos that energizes the other days and unites them into a consistent unit.
The Star of David has become the Jewish symbol, because it speaks to the core of the Jewish message: when your centre - your inner self - is spiritually energized, you can face the world and its challenges with confidence. You too can become a star.
What does the Star of David symbolise? Why is it considered the Jewish symbol?
Answer:
There are many secrets hidden in the Star of David. One is that it is an image of the spiritual rhythm of time.
Jewish time revolves around the concept of Shabbos - the Sabbath, a day of rest. The Shabbos is not just a weekend; it is a day of spiritual renewal. Because all week we work, study and are involved in our mundane activities, we don't have as much time to think about what is really important - our loved ones, our life direction, our soul. We can sometimes be caught up in an empty routine that seems endless.
Shabbos gives us a chance to stop and focus on why we do what we do. Instead of being outwardly focused, for one day a week we turn inwards. For six days we may call ourselves consultants, investors, mechanics or students; on Shabbos we are just human beings. For six days, we challenge ourselves to achieve, invent and develop; on Shabbos we appreciate ourselves and our loved ones not for what we have achieved, but simply for the people we are.
Shabbos is not just another day of the week; it completes the week, it gives the other six days purpose, shape and meaning. Without Shabbos, our week is a disjointed series of days, a monotonous cycle; with Shabbos, time itself has purpose, the weeks spiral upwards and every day fits into the prism of a meaningful life. On Shabbos, we replenish our soul-powers, so we can face the week ahead with renewed vitality and spiritual clarity.
This is all hidden in the Star of David. Look at its shape. It has six little triangles, each one facing outwards in different directions, that converge to create a hexagonal space in the middle.
The triangles represent the six days of the week, when we are outwardly focused; the inner space is the Shabbos that energizes the other days and unites them into a consistent unit.
The Star of David has become the Jewish symbol, because it speaks to the core of the Jewish message: when your centre - your inner self - is spiritually energized, you can face the world and its challenges with confidence. You too can become a star.