Rabbi Moss: Where did the Star of David Come From?

Question of the Week:

What does the Star of David symbolise? Is there meaning behind it? And why is it considered the Jewish symbol? And where did it come from?

Answer:

There is in an ancient kabbalistic text called Raziel Hamalach. It is named after an angel who taught mystical secrets to the first man,


	A page from Raziel Hamalach

Adam. The earliest appearance of what we call the Star of David is found in that book. While its teachings are way beyond our understanding, here is a thought that we can relate to.

One of the most important ideas in Judaism is the concept of Shabbos, the day of rest. The seven day week is a biblical invention. Without it, we may have never got the weekend off.

But Shabbos is much more than just a weekend.

During the working week we are preoccupied with mundane activities. We don't have as much time to think about what is really important, like our relationships, our life direction, our soul. We can sometimes lose ourselves in a routine that seems endless and pointless.

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 doctors or lawyers, mechanics or students. On Shabbos we are human beings. For six days we challenge ourselves to achieve, invent and develop the world outside of us. On Shabbos we go back to the world within us, appreciating ourselves and our loved ones not for what we have achieved, but for the people we are.

Shabbos is not just the seventh 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. Shabbos gives shape to our week and meaning to our days.

This is all hidden in the Star of David. It has six little triangles, each one pointing outwards in different directions. These triangles 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, the soul that energizes the other days and unites them into a meaningful shape.

The Star of David has become the Jewish symbol, because it illustrates a core Jewish message. Connect to your inner self. Know who you are and why you are here. Only then can you face life and its challenges with confidence. You too can become a star.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Moss

PS. The name 'Star of David' fits in with this idea, as King David was the seventh in a line of spiritual leaders of the Jewish people: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David.

To subscribe CLICK HERE or email rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au

LAST CHANCE BOOK NOW!

The 8th Annual Nefesh Golf Day was an amazing success!

Please click here to view our PHOTO GALLERY from the day. Thank you to Nadine Saacks for capturing the great fun and energy of the day with your photography.

Huge thank you again to our Major Sponsor Live Group, our Hole Sponsors, Prize Sponsors and Volunteers, and to all the players!

This is the ramp that leads down to the basement level. It will allows prams, food trolleys and wheelchair access to the commercial kitchen.

SHABBOS SERVICE TIMES & COMMUNITY INFO: VAYEIRA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday, 15 November 2019| 17 Cheshvan

Candle Lighting.......... 7:18pm (not before 6:13pm)

Shabbos Service ....... 6:30-7:20pm

Kids Program ............ 6:30pm

Shabbos Day, 16 November 2019 | 18 Cheshvan

Morning Meditation....................... 9:00am

Shabbos Service......................... 10:00am-12:20pm

Kids Program ............................. 10:30am

Followed by Kiddush and Communal Lunch

Shabbos Shiur at Wellington St with Nechama Dina Moss 5:00pm

Parsha Shiur with Rabbi Sufrin............... 6:15pm

Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishis ........7:15pm

Shabbos ends...................................... 8:18pm

Followed by Havdalah

WEEKDAY SERVICES

Sunday............................................... 8:00am

Mon-Fri............................................... 7:00am

Latest Shema this week........................ 9:09am

MAZEL TOV

Reverend and Mrs Amzalak on the Aufruf of their grandson Eli Amzalak this Shabbos, and the marriage of Eli to Aliza Werdiger in Melbourne on Sunday!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Tahnya & Jonathan Seifman... 19 Cheshvan/17 Nov

Michelle & Jeremy Saunders... 23 Cheshvan/21 Nov

CONDOLENCES

Dan Helfand and Susan Dubb on the passing of their sister, Janet Helfand A"H- Long Life.

LONG LIFE

Omer Farhy for his late mother Dita Farhy. Dita bat Aharon... 19 Cheshvan/ 17 November

Todd Gothelf for his late father Ira Gothelf

Yisrael ben Benjamin ... 22 Cheshvan/ 20 November

Anne Sarzin for her late husband

Dr Barney Sarzin, Dov ben Zwi...23 Cheshvan/ Thursday 21 November

If you would like Nefesh to include your Birthday, Anniversary or Yortzheit in our newsletter and send you an email reminder, just fill in this quick ONLINE FORM.