It does not remind us of anything in Biblical or in rabbinic Judaism. It does not express any “idea,” it does not arouse ancient associations rooted in our experiences, and it is not a shorthand representation of an entire spiritual reality, understood immediately by the observer. What is the true history of this Shield of David in the Jewish tradition?ĭoes it have its roots in the Jewish tradition at all? Has it always been accepted among wide or narrow circles as the symbol of Judaism, or at least as a specifically Jewish symbol? And if not, when did it begin to serve this function, and through what causes? In trying to answer these questions, a distinction must be made between the appearance of the emblem itself-the two crossed triangles in the shape of a six-pointed star-and the history of the name, “Shield of David,” by which it is now known for the name and the symbol were not originally linked together.Īctually the six-pointed star is not a Jewish symbol a fortiori it could not be “the symbol of Judaism.” It has none of the criteria that mark the nature and development of the true symbol. Who has shown us wonders by His grace, and has not locked the gates of pious homiletics.
And whose heart is not stirred to illuminate the dark depths, each man according to the latest encyclopedia at his disposal? Blessed be He Who succors the poor. The Shield of David is indeed a wondrous symbol, stimulating the intellect and arousing the passion for speculation. What is common to all these interpretations is that their daring is matched only by their ineptness. Some say: it is the symbol of the wars of the Kings of the House of David, while still others say: it is the symbol of eternal harmony and peace, the unification of opposites and their subordination to the principle of unity. Another says: it is the pure symbol of the Jewish national community. One commentator says: this is the symbol of Judaism, of the religious and intellectual universe of monotheism. Writers on the subject confuse the authentic tradition of the symbol, which they do not understand very well, with their own speculations, some of which are very far-fetched indeed: in sum, each man interprets the Magen David as he pleases. Where did the symbol originate, and what is its true meaning? In the scholarly literature, as well as the popular, truth and fantasy are mingled. The six-pointed star known as the Magen David or Shield of David, which is now emblazoned on the flag of the State of Israel, is from every point of view a cause for astonishment. Gershom Scholem, one of the great Jewish scholars of our time, here traces the obscure story of the Magen David through its long and curious career, and reveals that the true story of the symbol is quite different from that asserted by most accepted “authorities.”
The six-pointed Shield of David, now inscribed on the flag of Israel, is universally accepted as the Jewish symbol par excellence and it is commonly assumed that the Magen David’s special significance reaches back to remote antiquity, and enshrines some deep, traditionally hallowed, religious or historical meaning.
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