Where did the Star of David come from?

Where did the Star of David come from? How did it originate? - Susie, Texas

This question caused me to do a great deal of research because I believe for many the Star of David as a symbol for the Jewish people has just been long accepted. Today this star (also known as a Magen David) is the centerpiece of the Israeli flag. Unfortunately, Hitler and the Third Reich used this star (either in yellow or blue and white) to set the Jewish people apart for extermination. So regardless of whether for victory or death, the Star of David seemingly represents the Jewish people.

However, this does not answer the question but after a lot of research, I can give you a historical and religious answer. But be aware that not everyone will agree with the answer and in fact I do not even think this is the whole or final answer on the subject.

Historically, there is no evidence that King David ever used this as a symbol for himself or for the Jewish people (www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_of_David). Legends abound but no concrete evidence for the origination of the symbol. Some legends link the star to Solomon's Ring which was supposed to be a force that would ward off evil spirits. Of course, this should be seen as strictly legendary and a more likely solution to the first usage question has been answered by Rabbi Shraga Simmons (www.judaism.about.com/library/3_askrabbi_o/bl_simmons_starofdavid.htm). Rabbi Simmons speculates that during the Bar Kokhba rebellion (AD 132-135) the shields used by those who fought off the Romans were designed in triangle shapes that were meant to lock together so that the rebels would protect each other from the Romans.

Actual historical evidence to a Star of David being used by someone dates only as far back as a 3rd century (AD) tombstone in Southern Italy. A Tanakh (Old Testament manuscript) from the library of Rabbi Josef bar Yehuda ben Marvas in Spain has been found which dates to the 1300s. And during the Middle Ages, one can find various mentions of a Star of David used by different European countries for various reasons - some positive and some negative. However, this is the extent of the historical evidence that I was able to find that I felt was fairly reliable.

Religiously, the Star of David is wrapped in some controversy. The most common and earliest usage of the star in a religious sense is through the workings of Kabbalah and specifically the writings of Judah Hadassi (12th century), specifically Eshkol ha-Kofer. For more information on this theory visit www.judaism.about.com/library/3_askrabbi_o/bl_simmons_starofdavid.htm and www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_of_David. Today some Orthodox Jews and Haredi Jews will not utilize the symbol because of its "association" with the magic of Kabbalah or because of its influence on Zionism.

In other words, the Star of David is truly symbolic of the Jewish people but as in much of Jewish thought and literature there is confusion as to its origin and disagreement over its usage. But perhaps Rabbi Simmons summarized best how the Magen David should be viewed, "So whether it is a blue star waving proudly on a flag, or a yellow star in a concentration camp, the Star of David stands as a reminder that for the Jewish people ... in God we trust."