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Magen



The Magen David (Hebrew name, meaning "Shield of David") is named after King David; and its usage began in the Middles Ages, alongside the more ancient symbol of the Menorah. Geometrically it is the hexagram. With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 the Star of David on the Flag of Israel has also become a symbol of Israel.

According to some Judaic sources, the Star/Shield of David signifies the number seven: that is, the six points plus the centre. The earliest extant Jewish text to mention it is the Eshkol Ha-Kofer by a Karaite named Judah Hadassi, from the 12th century CE.

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 in the ancient Temple, whose seven oil lamps rest on three stems branching from each side of a central pole. And so on.

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Perhaps, the Star of David came to be used as a standard symbol in synagogues because its organization into 3+3+1 corresponds to the Temple's Menorah, which was the more traditional symbol for Judaism in ancient times.