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| My print
of the month for May is to honor the creation of the state of Israel
which took place in May 1948. My photograph titled "The Star
of David" is in search of the Jewish symbol.
According to some Judaic sources, the star/shield
of David signifies the number SEVEN: that is, the sic points plus
the center. The earliest extant Jewish text to mention it is the
ESHKOL HA-KOFER by a Karaite named Judah Hadassi [full name JUDAH
BEN ELIJAH HAABEL HADASSI], from the 12th century C.E.
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 days [Symbolically the menorah represented
the creation of the universe in seven days, the center light symbolizing
the Sabbath.] in the ancient temple, whose seven oil lamps
rest on three stems branching from each side of a central pole and
so on. Perhaps, the star of David came to be used as a standard
symbol in synagogues because its organisation into 3+3+1 corresponds
to the temple's Menorah, which was the more traditional symbol for
Judaism in ancient times.
— T.W.
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