Star Gazing my Jewish science project

As I was reading my science book on matter, gravity, and more sciency things. I could not help it, my mind began to get side tracked and I began to wonder about the universe that is filled with stars and  planets, that then led to a thought about the orgins of the Jewish Star, the Magen David, or Star of David.

Here is what I discovered.

It is said that the Star of David is a complicated interlocking figure which has not six (hexogram) but rather 12 (dodecogram) sides. One can consider it as composed of two overlapping triangles or as composed of six smaller triangles emerging from a central hexogram. Like the Jewish people, the star has 12 sides, representing the 12 tribes of Israel.

In the Star of David we can also form all the letters of our holy language Ivrit. The Star is also two (2) ancient Hebrew letters dalet that look likes a triangle that are put together spells the name David to show where we came as a people under our beloved King, David haMelek.  In Modern time this six-pointed star (hexagram), made of two interlocking triangles, can be found on mezuzahs, menorahs, tallis bags and kipot. Ambulances in Israel bear the sign of the “Red Star of David,” and the flag of Israel has a blue Star of David planted squarely in the center.

The six points of the Star of David symbolize G-d’s rule over the universe in all six directions: north, south, east, west, up and down. The Star of David also represent each day of creation. One of the most important things I have learned about the Star of David is that every time we, the Jewish people, see the Star of David we know that even during the darkest times of our history, G-d is always in control. It seems that this star has become the symbol of our people.

I recently decided to look for the Star throughout my home, my friend’s home, at shul, and even in holy books and count them. That’s a lot of star gazing. But what is most amazing is that all those stars I counted were put there by another Jewish person past or present. Suddenly my community did not feel so small anymore. Each one of those Stars represented individuals who were present in my home,  in my friend’s homes, in our shul and in our books. Somehow they are here too, reminding us that Hashem is always in control no matter what. They left a trace of their star behind for all Jewish people to see.

We are united. We are connected.

Our bond is strong. Our love is strong.

We are shining stars too. Bright lights burning always and everlasting.

Hashem promised we will be as “many as the stars”.  Look around and go star gazing. Do some Jewish science and count Stars of David in your home and in your community. Those Stars are reminders for us.

Recognize that those stars were carefully placed there by Jewish people for Jewish people to see and to remember that we are never ever alone because Hashem is always in control.

Have you left a trace of your star somewhere?