Foreword
by Ze'ev Barkan:
Dr. Naftali (Tulo) Nussenblatt (4.3.1895- 11.1943) wrote several books
about Theodore Herzl. He was captured by the Nazis during the Warsaw ghetto
uprising (April 1943) and died in a concentration camp in November 1943.
This article was a basic article, whether knowingly or not, for almost
everyone who has researched the Star of David symbol.
It originally appeared in Yiddish in Vienna in YIVO-Bleter, 13 (1938),
460-76(.
Translator from Yidish into Hebrew: Hava Eisenstein
Translator from Hebrew into English: Ze'ev Barkan
Star of
David
By Naftali
Nussenblatt
Star of David or Hexagram ✡ is the name of the mark now known worldwide
as a Jewish symbol. Long ago art historians, theologians, historians, Jews and
Christians, started explaining this symbol, and as time went on they
accumulated on the Star of David a lot of material, which is not easy to
comprehend. Existing studies are almost always referring also to the pentagram,
and why? because many believe that the hexagram and the pentagram not only are
similar, but actually are the same: " In folklore Pentagram and Hexagram
often replace each other" [1]. Winkler thinks that these two marks are
parallel, but that Muslims and Jews tend to use more the hexagram [2]. Still,
there is no doubt that we are dealing with two separate symbols, each of which
has its own history. We shall leave out of the scope of this research the
question how did it happen that the hexagram and the pentagram, which are two
different stars with five or six branches, were considered, superficially, to
be similar signs [3].
Pentagram
and Hexagram
The pentagram
looks like this: ★ "When you put 5 points on a circle
with equal spaces between them, you get a pentagram, also called pentalfa
because of the five letters A comprising it" [4]. Other descriptions of
the pentagram are: it consists of a pentagon with equilateral triangles, and it
can be drawn by a single pull of the pen [5]; It is a triangle with one edge
up; the other cuts [6] the first only from the right and not from the top-down.
The Pentagram standing on one edge is called in Germany Drudenfuss, drude's
foot, "magic foot", Alpfuss, "Seal of Solomon". in some
places also the hexagram is called " Drudenfuss". [7] and we find the
name "Seal of Solomon" for the first time in the Leiden [Netherlands]
Papyrus, which was published by Dietrich. This papyrus was written before the
Christian era, listing the types of amulets used in sorcery [8].
"Seal
of Solomon", "Solomon's Knot", "Ring of Solomon" are
considered to be different signs of witchcraft even though in Muslim sorcery it
is generally now accepted also to name both pentagram and hexagram as Solomon's
Seal. If so - Winkler asks - how is it that the in the most ancient documents
ther is no mention that Seal of Solomon is associated with the pentagram or
with its substitutes [9]. A seal ring for purposes of witchcraft is presented
in the apocryphal book "The Testament of Solomon [10]. In Islam they draw
the Hatam Suleiman as a hexagram, meaning "Seal of Solomon, drawn as a
star with six points"[11]. Like the "Hitim Slimania" Solomon's
ring [12]. Hein brings as "Solomon's Knot" a sign made of braided
rosette-shaped made from four different parts [13]. Samuel Abulafia called the
hexagram "Seal of Solomon". so as not to confuse the two marks they are talking in
the 17th and 18th centuries about "Solomon's Knot" which is the
pentagram, because you can draw it in one line, as a Knot. [14] Also a magical
amulet with nine vertices is called Solomon's seal [15]. Ethiopians call the
two signs [Pentagram and Hexagram] by the name Solomon's seal. They have a gold
hexagram on a medal called the Seal of Solomon. Gudemann writes that in Jewish
circles they call the pentagram [16] the "Star of David", because the
Pentagram and the Hexagram signs are parallel to the names "Star of
David" and
"seal of Solomon", [and] Grunwald menttioned this specifically.
The names Seal of Solomon and Star of David for these symbols are not
accidental. Very plausible that under these names are hiding stories of their
own.
Hexagram is now the very known symbol for us. There are different
definitions for it. According Strzygowski, the hexagram is a geometrical
cutting of two triangles [17]. and by Grote the hexagram consists of gathered
triangles [18]. According to Michaelis: two triangles embedded in succession
[19]. According to Winkler - Two unrelated triangles [20]. According to
Grunwald the Star of David consists of two equilateral triangles, which usually
intersect so that they create six smaller triangles, gathered around a hexagon
[21]. It also indicated by Strzygowski elsewhere that the hexagram is six triangles
around a hexagon [22].
Meanings
When the researchers tried to figure out what these two symbols indicate
they explained them together, Seeing them as: lines to fill in the void [23],
Cosmo-Astrological illustrations [24], Kabbalistic mystical symbols [25],
geometric figures-or numbers [26], mathematical drawings [27], apotropaic
properties [28], marks of stonemasons and potters [29], Orthodox icons, a
Jewish symbol [30], seal-weight and decorations. Winkler believes may be more
than one of these explanations suited each such symbol [31].
The multiplicity of explanation lies in the fact, mentioned above, that
the two symbols interchange. It is unlikely to assume they derived from one
origin, or that they initially meant the same, even though they met here and
there throughout their history, which is stretching over thousands of years.
Well, from these contradictory explanations there is no way to explain
for what actually points the Star of David, now known as the Jewish symbol.
Where is the truth? Dr. [Moritz] Güdemann wrote about the Star of David:
"Men of Jewish learning cannot accept the fact that the Jewish people
would dig out of their attic of superstition a symbol or emblem that it shares
with stables". This view may be correct about the pentagram, but is it
also true for the hexagram? Professor Alfred Grotte tells us that he asked the
Chief Rabbi [of Vienna], Dr. Güdemann, if it is allowed to use the Star of
David when building a new synagogue. The answer was that there's no
relationship between the Star of David and Judaism [33]. Grotte himself held
the opposite view, based on the results of excavations at Tel-hum, reported in
detail by [archaeologists] Kohl and Watzinger. Grotte concluded that "from
early times the Star of David was received as a Jewish symbol, although they
did not know where it comes from and what it means". He also points out
the various theories that have been developed by Nothling and Wolff [34] about
the Star of
David. According to them the secret of the Star of David is associated with the
Pyramid of Cheops, or with the secrets of the Temple in Jerusalem. Grotte does
not agree with the opinion of Professor Samuel Krauss [35] who believes that
the star of David
served at the earliest times as a sign of a stonemason. (the hexagram was used
as a sign of builders in Freemasonry and the like). Dr. M.. Grunwald, who wrote
many studies about the Star of David for 40 years, came to the conclusion that
it is a mysterious and universal symbol. Carl Watzinger wrote in his book, which
deals with monuments in Palestine, that: "The fact that Tel Hum has a
pentagram and hexagram on the frieze shows that already in the first centuries
C.E they knew these symbols as Solomon's seal and Star of David"[36]. already in
1901 Grunwald estimated that when people say Solomon's seal it means pentagram. But
it can be assumed that this theory is based on the names of these symbols
rather than on their forms. various attempts to explain the pentagram and the
hexagram can be found in works dealing with superstitions [37]. It is
noteworthy that Winkler does not agree with the explanation offered by Robert
Eisler that these symbols are universal symbols. Grotte also does not believe
in such explanations. In his opinion the origin of the hexagram is in the Kabbalah.
]Assyriologist
Alfred] Jeremias understands the pentagram as a universal symbol. The pentagram
is obtained after we divide the sky into five parts . According to him, all
[cultures of] the world were influenced by this ancient symbol, and it is used
to this day, under various names, for protection from Satan. Jeremias proves
that the origin of this symbol is in shumer. He says that the hexagram, our
Star of David, is created when you place two equilateral triangles in a circle,
so that their sides intersect
in the middle. In this way the circle is divided into six equal parts
[38]. Grotte has the opinion that the Magen David expresses the unity of
opposites male and female [39]. In the Muslim world drew Al Buni[13th century]
drew the human image in a pentagram, with its five vertices surrounding the
head, arms and legs [40].
But we must separate the question of how the Star of David had been
formed from the question of how it became a Jewish symbol. Whether the hexagram
has a universal character does not contribute to how it was accepted as a
symbol of Judaism and of the Israeli nation [41].
History of
symbols
The archaeological findings about the hexagram in the Jewish past are
few: The earliest known hexagram, so far (with orbiting circles within circles)
was found in the excavations of Gezer, painted on a ceramic bowl, and it was
created before the Israelite era, from 1600 to 1400 B.C. [42]. Garrow Duncan
estimates that this archaeological artifact is from the 13th century B.C. [43].
Later we find the hexagram in the 7th century B.C. on a stamp in Sidon. There
it is in the second row to "fill the place" [44]. We find Pentagrams
and hexagrams on the frieze in the synagogue in Tel-Hum (Capernaum). Hexagram
appears on a tombstone in Tarent [Italy] from the third century C.E. Later we
find it among the Karaites. And many times it appears on Jewish gravestones in
the tenth century. In "Eshcol Hackofer" by the Karaite Judah Hadassi
[written around 1148] the hexagram is already called shield of David. In the
Kabbalah, particularly by the Lurian Kabbalah, the Star of David symbol was
accepted as a beloved symbol by the Jews [45].
We find the hexagram frequently in ancient manuscripts from Yemen, [46].
Over time many large Jewish communities accepted the Star of David as their
symbol. The Jewish-American society publishing company adopted this sign as its
symbol in 1873. Bilu Movement embraced it in 1881. Later it was adopted by
Hovevey Zion (Lovers of Zion Movement) and the political Zionists (including
Herzl), and they spread it as a symbol of Judaism in general.
According to Jeremias the hexagram appears in non-Jewish circles for the
first time in Babylon on an amulet from [Negro King] Koriglzo III [1400 BC] as
a star with six rays. In a later period, around 1000 BC, we find stars with six
straight lines. Jeremias
shows in his book an illustration of the Hexagram of the goddess of fate
on Etruscan mirror [47]. in the 6th century B.C. we find hexagram with a point
in its center on a stamp for verification of coins from [the Greek island] of
Aegina [48]. in Akhmim-Panopolis city, a bread-stamp was found with hexagram
from the first to the third century C.E. [49]. In late Christian and Latin
writings found in North Africa, Rome and Gaul, we find the hexagram and the pentagram
with Christian monogram [50].
In ancient Coptic texts the hexagram appears with a lily in its center
on bread- seals and as examples for learning how to sketch [51] . Copts have sometimes
hexagrams with a cross in the middle [52]. Armenian Christians have hexagrams
without a cross [53]. In the Muslim world it appears on a manuscript from the
9th century in a prayer against the Alawite sect, and on top of tombstones in
the same century [54]. On Arab coins, or on coins of all the Muslim nations,
often we find hexagrams from the most ancient times. Sort of hexagrams were
found in petroglyphs in Sahara [55]. In Sudan, it serves now as a royal symbol
[56]. In the Muslim world we find the pentagram as well. Winkler, while
examining the history of these symbols, refers to them as one symbol, and comes
to the conclusion that they have not evolved independently in different places.
He estimates that the source of the pentagram and the hexagram is in the
Mediterranean: Syria, Asia Minor, and the islands of Greece. From there they
entered to Italy Gallia and Egypt. Islam adopted them at least from two
sources: the Copts and the Jews. Winkler explains these symbols in three ways:
as a talisman, as a symbol on stamps and coins, and for defensive purposes
[57]. There is confusion not only between the pentagram and the hexagram but
also between them and Heptagram, the star with seven vertices. Both, pentagram
and Heptagram, were considered as apotropaic symbols [58].
In ancient documents from Eilam and on ancient souvenirs from Babylon
[59] the pentagram appears as a universal symbol. Robert Eisler understands the
pentagram as a symbol of heavenly stairs, as an idiogram and as a cosmo-gram
[60]. The earliest form of the pentagram is supposed to be found in the Sumerian culture
[61]. pentagram is also found on the pottery in Gezer during the pre Israel
era, on the frieze of the synagogue in Tel Hum, among the Pythagoreans [as a
symbol of health], on coins from Asia Minor [62], and among the early
Christians, in Islam, and among different nations till this day . [See the stars with
five vertices on the flags of Chile, Cuba, Panama, Liberia, Turkey, and see the
symbol of Esperanto] [63].
Pentagram means sky in the hieroglyphics once used by all the Indian
tribes who lived in Canada before the Europeans arrived there [64]. Kepler was
probably the first who thought that the Pentagram, unlike the hexagram, is a
mathematical sign [65]. It can be assumed, correctly, that even among Jews in
Israel the pentagram and the hexagram have their own history. These two symbols
replace each other, because they look alike. If it turns out through history,
that among the tribes of Israel, and later among the Jews in exile, the hexagram won greater
importance, the question is, what was the point of that? What was the inherent
logic of the hexagram that could influence the fact that this symbol iwa saved
among Jews for nearly 3,500 years, and finally became a national-religious
symbol [66]?
When the Star of David has become a symbol of Judaism? This question
belong here indirectly. One can imagine rightly, that if the apparent meaning
of the symbol will become clear, its development will look in a different
light. What an idea can be expressed by our Star of David? In what time in our
history emerged this idea? Where this symbol can have proof in our most ancient
writings, same as we have for our menorah?
New
explanation
Looking carefully at the Star of David, and taking into account all the
intersecting lines , it can easily be discovered that the two triangles put on
each other create three cutting points. And it can be determined as a fact,
that if the star is drawn in a circle, then the area of the circle is divided
into 13 fields. And the question is whether this distribution to 13 parts of
the circle has any particular meaning? And do we have here a matter with a
picture that hides within it a special account, that points to a particular
event in our history?
The meaning of the number 12 in our history is known and accepted, since
there is of particular importance to the number of the twelve tribes. And
because the tribe of Joseph was divided in two, it became 13. Thus gets the
number 13, according to our understanding, a special significance. In history
the division of the tribes into 13 played an important role, and also the
division of the circle into 13 parts - this was the area in which the tribes
had to set up their camp. And this is the camp for the tribes of Israel, as
described in the Book of Numbers Chapter II, where it says: "The Israelites
are to camp around the tent of meeting, some distance from it, each of
them under their flag and holding the banners of their family. On the east,
toward the sunrise, the flag of the camp of Judah" etc. From the meaning
of the words in this chapter we can understand that the whole camp was in the
form of a circle. In reality, the earliest form of a military base is a circle.
Such a field camp is shown in the relief of Ashurbanipal II - and in its center
stands the King's tent [67].
There are important evidence in the Bible that, the tribes of Israel
camped in a circle: I Samuel, XVII describes such a camp: it is called there
'circle' ('Ma'agela'). Luther was wrong when he translated this word to the
word Wagenburg [68]. Apparently this is a technical term for fortified camp
[69]. There is no doubt at all that 'Ma'agela' means a round camp. King Saul
had also a round camp, according to I Samuel 26:5: "Saul was lying inside
the camp, with the army encamped around him [70]. Professor Krauss
points out that these two verses in I Samuel when he refers to the "'Ring
of the camp" [71].
When, in Numbers Chapter II, the order of the camp of Israel is
mentioned as "around the tent of meeting some distance from
it" there is no doubt that the meaning is that the camp is round. In this
round the 13 tribes of Israel find their places when the Temple, the
Tabernacle, is at the center. The tribe of Levi is in the middle of the camp on
all four sides, i.e. also around the tent of meeting. The 12 tribes also are
camped "around the tent of meeting
some distance from it", on the four sides of the tent, thus creating a
single unit from three tribes, namely, one military unit, and each such unit
has its own special function. Therefore they are called: Flag Camp [Degel Machane]
of Judah, Flag Camp [Degel Machane] of Reuben, and so on. The round camp, is
also fortified, or has a wall around it, or is open but strategically stands
higher than any other type of camp. The force protecting the circular camp
needs less space than required from the force protecting the square camp. In
such camp, due to attacks from all sides, you have to make sure there's a place
to keep the inventory. And it is clear from the plain meaning of the verse in
Numbers, that the center of the camp "inside the camps"["Betoch
Hamachanot"] was
the tabernacle, around it was the "Levites Camp", which included, in
the east, only Moses, Aaron, and their children, and this is, of course, the
leadership of the tribes.
That is the order in Numbers Chapter III. It is inconceivable that the
other tribes had formed one circle, because even if the numbers in the
Pentateuch are in Numerology, the camp had to be sized properly to include all
12 tribes next to each other in one circle - that is a bad strategic situation,
and in fact impossible. From a strategic perspective, they must take care of
inventory, that is, some tribes in the circular camp must stand before the last
line, they should be the first to fight, and they must stand in a position from
which they can protect the entire camp. So we have to divide the 13 tribes to
the strategic points in the round, which we mentioned above, or simply, to
divide a circle into 13 sectors. We already know that our symbol, the Star of
David, divides a circle into 13 sectors, and if we are now trying to describe
the layout of the camp of Israel according to the Star of David, it turns out
that this symbol does present a circular camp, in which there are two circles
each with six tribes! [in the center is the 13th tribe, Levi, with the
Tabernacle]. The drawings below show this clearly.
Presumably, in principle, the Magen David appeared in the map of the
camp, and helped maintain order, and strategic goals. Of course, that must be
assumed that at first it was presented only roughly, and only later the exact
shape of the Star of David was perfected.
Thus, according to what is described in Numbers chapter two, stood up
the field camp, where there were parked 13 tribes arranged in three circles,
for special protection of the temple in the center. (Compare it to the secret
of Metatron according to the "Book of Creation" and the nickname of God: 'The place' !)
[72]. In the first security circle, there is room for six tribes, and in the
second circle, which is used as a reservoir, there is room for six other
tribes, that is, the balance of power is distributed equally in each circle. In
the center of the last circle, immediately before the tent of meeting, Levites
were used as the last line of defense, which is also the guard corps of Moses.
The place of the tribal Israeli leadership is also east of the tent of meeting,
there are Moses, Aaron and his sons. There is no denying that this is a genius
strategic plan here, which provides an excellent defensive for each side of the
camp.
There is in this plan a cover for protection against assaults from the
main directions of East, West, South and North, as well as the directions:
southeast, southwest, northwest and northeast. In addition, this structure has
another advantage: every three tribes form an independent protection group
under the leadership of Judah, Reuben, Dan and Gad, each of which must first
defend his position, and can, when necessary, come to the aid of the
neighboring group, without leaving his post and without jeopardizing the team and
his position. Therefore, the Star of David is an image and symbol of the United
Tribes of Israel in a military alliance designed to protect the common temple.
From this perspective the instructions in Numbers Chapter II, that the
camp of Judah Issachar and Zebulun should be in the east, receive a special
significance. On the same side they are in direct contact with "Moses,
Aaron and his sons," that is, with the leadership of the tribes. In the same direction march
the Tribes, at the top the group of Judah, which has the biggest number of
warriors. After it comes the southern group: Reuben, Gad and Simeon. You can
figure out the order of march in "Parashat Behaalotcha" only on the
basis of the order in the camp. The order of their encampment was also the
order in which they marched. Many ask how do we describe a march in a circle?
It is easy to answer this question when imagining the order of the camp and
march of the tribes, and the way it is made up of 4 groups each with three
interconnected tribes.
Our declarations regarding the camp of Israel, that it was divided into
13 sectors, as is shown in the Star of David, allows us to understand why the
tribes were placed according to the order written in the book of Numbers.
Martin Knott [73] asked according to which principle the tribes were divided.
He estimated that the division to the four groups for the four main directions
was based on a principle that we can not know it now, and the composition of
the individual groups was based on the mechanical division of the tribes
according to their number. This question gets its response according to the the
conclusions cited so far: the division of the tribes indeed was made for
strategic reasons. The group under the leadership of Judah was the pioneer, and
it was parked on the eastern side, from where was the expected main attack. in this
direction marched the tribes. the other group was under the leadership of the
tribe of Dan, and had to defend the South. Thus, the order of the camp and
march started from the east, and continued in the form of a ring to the south
the west and the north. To this fact of the constant order of the camp of
Israel there were associated stars [74]. There is no doubt at all that this
matter is a Babylonian influence, but we can also accept the hypothesis that
the interpretations by the stars to the order of the encampment of the tribes,
and the interpretations by the stars to the Star of David - were attempts to
connect to an ancient memory about the connection between the shape of the Star
of David and the order of the camps.
I have already mentioned that the name of our of symbol, derived from
the order of the camps of the 13 tribes, embodies its own story, which has yet
to be explored. [on the Question] why this symbol is called by the tradition of
the Jewish people specifically by the name of David, we can perhaps answer that David was actually
the one who created the kingdom, and united all the tribes, and resumed with
his army this lost political tradition. Thus, the Star of David hides deep and
important logic: it is the symbol of the togetherness of the tribes of Israel,
of the alliance to fight for the common temple and defend it from all sides.
This deep internal logic, although forgotten over time, may be the best
explanation for the survival of this icon in our history.
That is also why many new streams of Judaism accepted this symbol as an
ancient Jewish symbol. For example, the Karaites, then the magical
national-religious community, the lovers of Zion [Chovevey Zion], and more
recently the political Zionism. These are all ideas and movements, that in
their goals and platforms took into account the unity of Israel.
But even in the new religions that came out from the Jewish religion:
the Star of David was adopted by the first Christians and by the first Muslims,
although the Christians removed it away very quickly, just like they did to the
menorah, which appeared as a symbol of the early Christians. In contrast, Muslims kept the Star of David
since then to this day. Lovers of Zion accepted it in 1881, as can be seen from
the letter of Mordechai Hacohen to Z. D. Levontin [75] where it
reads:"Committee members carried the Star of David with the word
"Zion" embroidered in it.
At that time developed once again an argument over the Star of David. In
the letter of sculptor Mark Antokolski to Stasov from 1879 we read: "as
for a certain Gordon you mentioned in your letter to me, who attacks us that
for our interpretation of the Star of David as a Jewish symbol, I am truly am
amazed by the awkwardness of Mr. Gordon. Because according to my view it does
not matter if it was a symbol of antiquity or not, and I would add in
parentheses, for if the Star of David was created in the 14th century, more or
less, it is
impossible that it was created in King David's Time. for me it is enough that
it existed for a long time, and that it is recieved by the people so ardently,
as there are in every culture all sorts of possible legends, stories,
traditions and symbols "[76].
In early political Zionism, the question was asked once again what sign
will be used as its symbol. Herzl wrote in [his book] "The Jewish
State" about a Jewish flag which has seven gold stars against seven hours
of our working day. But various Zionist groups already used the Star of David
as a sign and symbol. At first they painted the seven stars of Herzl around the
Magen David. David Wolfson tells how he ordered the Zionist flag for the first
congress in Basel, and that he was the one who decided to put on it the Star of
David symbol [77].
On November 30, 1896, Herzl met with Colonel Goldsmith in England. Herzl
was very impressed with the romantic image of the Colonel. Herzl tells about it
in his diaries. In one place he writes, "he presented to me the flag of
the Lovers of Zion: symbol of the twelve tribes" [78].
in May 1898 Herzl checked in detail the question of the Star of David in
a correspondence with Dr. Max Bodenheimer, after he received a letter from him
which had a stamp that had a Star of David with 12 stars around it. Herzl wrote
about the Star of David thus:"your 12 stars surrounding the Star of David is
incorrect since the 12 tribes are already in the body of the Star of David
itself "[79].
This is the heritage about the significance of the Star of David, which
is the symbol of the 12 tribes. It was known to Herzl through Goldsmith.
Herzl's hypothesis, that the Magen David symbolizes the 12 tribes, influenced
me to conduct this investigation about the history of the Star of David and its
meaning.
Comments
* It is a very pleasant duty to thank here, first, the historian Dr.
Korale Gutman from Krakow, whose important guidelines and referrals to
important books helped me a lot; to my friend Dr. Leo Oppenheim, from the
Department of Oriental Research at the University of Vienna - for his advice in
general and for his tips on Sumerian culture in particular. To Dr. Franz Kobler
from Vienna - for showing me the letters of Antokolsky to Stasov about the Star
of David. With thanks and love I mention here the historian Dr. Max Eisler, who
passed away in December 1937, in his conversations with me he showed his kind
involvement in this work.
1. Die Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart, 1930, Vol. I, p. 2014
2. H. A. Winkler, Siegel und Charaktere in der Muhammedanischen
Zauberei, 1930, p. 120.
3. Hugo Prinz, Altorientalische Symbolik, Berlin, 1915, p. 21. See stars
with five and six arms on ancient coins and in heraldry; Reallexikon der
Vorgeschichte Vol. 12, p. 432; Dr. A. Wessely, Neue griechische Zauberpapyri, Wien 1893, p. 69, 70.
4. Die Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart,1930, IV p. 1065.
5. Lexikon fur Theologie und Kirche, 1931, Vol 3.
6. M. Grunwald, Jahrbuch fur judische Volkskunde, (J.j.V.) 1925.
7. Grimms worterbuch II, p. 1455.
8. M.
Grunwald, Jahrbuch fur judische Geschichte
und Literature (J.f.j.G.L.) 1901;
Alfred Grotte, Eine neue Hypothese uber den Ursprung des Magen Dawid,
Monatsschrift für Geschichte und Wissenschaft des Judenthums (M.G.W.), 1922,
1-3.
9. H.
A. Winkler, Siegel und Charaktere, p. 127, 137.
10. Leopold Low, Graphische
Requisiten Und Erzeugnisse Bei Den Juden, Leipzig 1870, p. 57, 213.
11.Enzyklopaedie des Islam, 1924, Vol. IV.
12. Winkler, Siegel und Charaktere, p. 121.
13. Prof. Alois Raimund Hein, Künstliche Wirbeltypen, Wein
kunstethnoraphischer Beitrag zur allgemeinen Ornament geschichte. Wien 1929,p,
100.
14.M . Grunwald, Ein altes Symbol in neuer Beleuchtung, J.f.j.G.L.1901,
p. 123; Dr. B. Vajda, Menorah, Davidschild und Salomo-Siegel, M.G.W. 1918;
[Hebrew] Hamelitz, 17 June 1889, an
article by YFZ Talpiot 10, 164, 165
15. Dr. W. Ahrens, Hebraische Amulette,
Berlin 1916, p. 6.
16. M. Gudemann, Der Magen David oder Davidschild, M.G.W. 1916,p. 135.
17. J. Strzygowski, Asiens
Bildende Kunst in Stichproben, Augsburg 1930 p. 288.
18.Alfred Grotte, Eine neue Hypothese uber den Ursprung des Magen David,
M.G.W. 1922, 1-3.
19. J. Michaelis, Der Davidsschild, Der Morgen, 1934/1935.
20. H . Winkler, Altorientalische Forschungen, III, 192.
21. Alois Breier, Max Eisler, Max Grunwald, Holzsynagogen in Polen,
1933, Anhang,
p. 19.
22. J . Strzygowski, Spuren indogermanischen Glaubens in der bildenden
Kunst, Heidelberg, 1936.
23. Mark Lidzbarski, Ephemeris fur semitische Epigraphik, 1908, Bd. II
145;
Adler, The Jews in Southern Italy, J.Q. R., XIV; Winkler, Siegel und
Charaktere, p. 121.
24. M Grunwald, Judisches Lexikon; Breier, Eisler, Grunwald,
Holzsynagogen in Polen. 1933, Anhang (1901-1933).
There you"ll find a list of works Grunwald wrote on this subject; Robert
Eisler, Weltenmantel und Himmelszelt, 1910, II, p. 322.;
25. [Hebrew] Grunwald DZ"VV; Gaster, Rimon 1923 no. 3, 7, 30.
26. Johanna Michaelis, Der
Dawidschild, Morgen, 1934—1935.
27. Kepler (Grunwald זע J.f.G.L. 1901, p. 125.
28. Grimm; Grunwald; Gudemann; Vaida; vide Religion in Geschichte und
Gegenwart, 1930, IV, 1063; Franz J. Dolger, Die Fischdenkmaler in der
fruhchristlichen Plastik, 1927, Tafel 225, Nr. 2.
29. Prof. Samuel Krauss, Die gallilaischen Synagogenruinen und die
Halakha. M.G.W. 1921, p. 211;
Prof. S. Krauss, Hexagramm und Hakenkreuz in der Synagoge, Das Zeit,
1924; Winkler, Siegel und Charaktere, 1930, p. 121-122.
30. Alfred Grotte, Eine neue Hypothese uber den Ursprung des Magen David,
M.G.W. 1922, 1-3; Watzinger, Denkmaler Palastinas, 1935, II, p. 112.
31. H.A. Winkler, Siegel und Charaktere, 1930, p. 126.
32. M. Gudemann, Der Magen David oder Davidschild, M.G.W. 1916,p. 135.
33. Grotte, M.G.W 1922.
34. Dr. Fritz Nothling, Die kosmischen Zahlen der Cheopspyramide; O.
Wolff, Der Tempel von Jerusalem, eine kunsthistorische Studie uber seine Masse
und Proportionen, 1913.
35. Prof. S. Krauss, M.G.W., 1921 ; Das Zelt, 1924, Nr. 6.
36. Carl Watzinger, Denkmaler Palestinas, 1935, II, p. 112.
37. Handbuch des deutschen Aberglaubens, II, p. 180.
38. Alfred Jeremias, Handbuch der altorientalischen Geisteskultur 1929,
p. 189.
39. Otto, Handbuch der kirchlichen Archaologie.
40. H. A.
Winkler, Siegel und Charaktere, p. 120. About the subject of symbolism see
also comment 41.
41. Rahel Wischnitzer-Bernstein, Symbole und Gestalten der jüdischen
Kunst, 1935;
Ernst Cohn-Wiener. Jüdische Kunst, 1929, p. 30; Robert Eisler,
Weltenmantel und Himmelszelt, p 302 , note.
42. R. A. Stewart Macalister,
The Excavation of Gezer, London 1912, Vol. III. PI. 159, Nr. 12.
43. J. Garrow Duncan, Corpus of Dated Palestinian Pottery, London 1930,
p. 10, 7.
44. Mark Lidzbarski, Ephemeris für semitischen Epigraphik.
45. M. Grunwald, Judisches Lexikon 1929, III ; Breier, Max Eisler, M.
Grunwald, Holzsynagogen in Polen, Jewish Encyclopedia; H A Winkler, Siegel und
Charaktere in der muhammedanischen Zauberei, 1930, p. sq; Robert Eisler,
Weltenmantel und Himmelszelt.
46. V. Stasov
et D. Günzburg, L'Ornement Hebreu. Berlin 1905.
47. A. Jeremias, Handbuch der altorientalischen Geisteskultur, 1929, p.
184, 196, Abb. 115.
48. Winkler, Siegel und Charaktere, p. 122.
49. R. Forrer, Die frühchristlichen Alterthumer aus dem Graberfelde von
Achmin-Panopolis, Strassburg 1893, Tafel 9, Nr. 3.
50. Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart, I, 2014.
51. Al. Gayet, L'art Copte, Paris 1901, p. 98, 307.
52 . J. Strzygowski, Koptische Kunst,
Catalogue general des Antiquites Egyptiennes du Musee du Cairo, Bd. XII, Wien
1904, p. 140, 231.
53. Jurgis Baltrusaitis, Etudes sur l'art en Georgie et en Armenie.
Paris 1929.
54. J. Strzygowski, Ornamente, Altarabische Grabsteine in Kairo,
"Islam", 1911, II.
55. Winkler, Siegel und Charaktere, p. 120, 125.
56. S. Gottlieb, W Sudanie - panstwie z pod znaku Dawida, "Nowy
Daiennik", Krakow, 28 kwietnia 1937.
57. Winkler, Siegel und Charaktere, p. 126.
58. R. Eisler, Weltenmantel und Himmelszelt, I, 302.
59. Jeremias, Handbuch p. 195; Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart, IV,
1063.
60. Robert Eisler, Weltenmantel und Himmelszelt.
61. Sumerisches Lexikon v. P. Anton Deimel, Rom 1930, II, p. 523.
62. Lexikon fur Theologie und Kirche, 1931, III.
63. R. Eisler, Weltenmantel; Winkler, Siegel und Charaktere.
64. Karl Faulmann, Illustrierte Geschichte der Schrift, Wien 1880, p.
233.
65. M. Grunwald, Jahrbuch f.G.L., 1901, p. 125.
66. About the subject of symbolism see also comment 41.
67. Reallexikon der
Vorgeschichte 1924, III.
68. E. Riehem, Handbuch des biblischen Altertums, 1884, p. 866
69. E. Kautzsch, Die heilige Scrift.
70. In addition, you should compare it to the story of Honi that appears
in the Babylonian Talmud, Ta'anit (fast) 23:a
71. Prof. S. Krauss, Heerwesen
bei den Juden, Judisches Lexicon, Vol II.
72. Vgl. Grunwald, Ein altes Symbol in neuer Beleuchtung, J.f.j.G.L.
1901.
73. Dr. Martin Noth, System der zwolf Stamme, Stuttgart 1930.
74. Dr. E. Bischoff, Babilonisch-Astrales im Weltbilde des Talmud und
Midrash, Leipzig 1907.
75
. Franz Kobler, Jüdische
Geschichte in Briefen aus Ost und West,. 1938, p. 454.
76. Mark
Antokolski, Jewo zizn, tworenia, pisma i statji, ed. W. W Sasow, Peterburg
1905, p. 449.
77. [Hebrew] L. Yafe, Congress book, Jerusalem, (7), 214
78. Theodor Hrzl, Tagebucher,
I, p. 323.
79. Herzls letter to Max Bodenheimer 30.05.1898; Mai 1898, Welt 1910 Nr.
20, p. 472. [Translation by Susanne Eisner-Kartagener : "One more thing.
As a watermark you have used the shield of David, with a lion at its centre. So
far we quite agree. However, here, in Romania, England, America the seven
pointed flag has already widely been accepted, with the following design:
In my doodle the centre field is meant to represent a lion. In each of
the six small triangles there is a star, as well as a star at the very crest.
The twelve surrounding stars that your suggest are incorrect for the simple
reason that the twelve tribes are already contained within the shield of
David".
Comment by the
translator, Hava Eizenstein, head of Yiddish Translation.com in
Israel:
"At the end of 2014 Mr. Ze'ev
Barkan asked me to translate Nusenblatt's article from Yiddish to Hebrew. I
worked on the translation with all my heart, so much so, that even in me
shimmered a hypothesis, that may be, the six vertices of the Star of David are
alluding to the Six books of the Mishna, the oral tradition arranged by
"Rabbi" [Rabbi Judah Ha'Nasi] based on what he had learned and
received from his ancestors and teachers, based on the written law of Moses
received from God. And since our nation exists only through the Torah "[as
Rabbi Saadia Gaon wrote] therefore we can say that the shield of David is the
symbol of Israel".
