Hi WhatevergirlThis might seem like a strange question, but is there anything wrong with a Catholic wearing a star of david ‘pendant’ on a necklace? I have a friend who is Catholic, and she wears one on occasion…I have always loved the look of star of david jewelry…just curious as to your thoughts on this. Thanks!
– I don’t think there should be a problem at all. I’ve seen some lovely Star of David pendants over the years, even though I’ve never owned one. I’ve even seen them in the Catholic Bookstore I enjoy visiting when I’m in Downtown Pittsburgh. I especially love the ones that have a cross in the middle of them. I agree with Philomeena that it would be a way to honor the Jewish roots of our Catholic faith. 
There is something beautiful, in a very natural way, about this jewelry. I have always admired the star of david, I grew up with many Jewish friends, and hadn’t seen this worn by a Catholic until recently. Roy makes a good point though. I was just curious as to if this was inappropriate for a Christian to wear.
*I know exactly the bookstore you are speaking of! I used to walk there during my lunch break when the weather was nice. I never noticed the star of david, but that’s interesting that that shop has it! *Hi Whatevergirl
Hi Whatever Girl
I keep forgetting you’re from Pittsburgh. Yes, Kirners is a wonderful bookstore. I always enjoy going there because the staff is always so nice and helpful. They have many lovely pieces of jewlery there as well. I only remember seeing a Star of David once, it had a cross in the middle and I did think of getting it then, but I didn’t. I haven’t been able to go to town much lately. But Kirners is always a place I stop in when I make a visit. I use to visit all the time when I was working in town, or if I go to town for the Three Rivers Arts Festival.Actually, it is. The story goes that David’s shield had the design on it.
I sure hope there is nothing wrong with it.This might seem like a strange question, but is there anything wrong with a Catholic wearing a star of david ‘pendant’ on a necklace? I have a friend who is Catholic, and she wears one on occasion…I have always loved the look of star of david jewelry…just curious as to your thoughts on this. Thanks!
*Oh really? lol That’s neat. I find the diamond version of this to be particular pretty at Tiffany’s.
But, they have a silver one too…and it’s really lovely. I have always liked this, for decades, but always thought it would somehow be ‘taboo’ to wear it.
I admit, I’m surprised reading this, growing up with many Jewish people, dating Jewish men, etc…I have come to associate this star, as a ‘jewish’ star or symbol, and perhaps ASSUMED that it has religious significance. It doesn’t??! I feel dumb not knowing this? 
I wouldn’t go so far as to say it has “no religious significance” After all, if it had no significance at all, the rabbis would never have written anything about it, yet they obviously did. I read the article, and I believe what the author is trying to convey is that it has no “particular” religious significance–certainly not the significance many people have attached to it after WWII. It’s been a popular symbol in Judaism for millenia.judaism.about.com/od/judaismbasics/a/starofdavid.htm
*Look at this link…very interesting. You mentioned some of what is mentioned here, FrDavid. It appears that the association of it to King David, comes from Jewish ‘legend.’ It doesn’t have ANY religious significance to Judaism.
My husband doesn’t think I should wear this, though. He isn’t saying ‘don’t wear it,’ but he feels it wouldn’t be appropriate for a Catholic to wear, but frankly, I think upon reading this, he will have a different view.*
Well, perhaps it implies for example the trinity or the cross signifies for a believer in Christ. There is direct relevance of those ‘symbols.’ I am thinking that the author is implying that it doesn’t have a uniform, collective,** universal *meaning, as does the cross for Christians, etc. Like some might believe it means this or that, while another group might feel it means something entirely different. (The 12 tribes is an interesting interpretation of the meaning of the star, due to the 12 sides) Thoughts?
I think that’s it. It doesn’t have a single, universal meaning, but I would also add that it doesn’t have (or rather did not have) the significance which it now does of saying “whenever you see this symbol, think of Judaism.” Judaism has used many symbols over the centuries. Ancient Jewish coins often had a kind of harp (the “real” symbol of King David), the horn-of-plenty, or ears of wheat instead of the face of the current ruler and never an animal (since to do so would have been a violation of the first commandment). Many cultures likewise use(d) the same symbols, but of course, we don’t think of them as being exclusively Jewish. A hundred years ago, people viewed the Star of David in the same way–nothing more than a sort of generic symbol which happened to be used in Judaism along with many other cultures.
In 1948 I was a boy and we greeted the emergence of Israel with enthusiasm. Part of the reason was Biblical - the chosen people idea, the miracle it seemed to represent and a refuge for holocaust survivors.
In 1956, by then in college, my view of Israel began to change after it invaded Egypt, while British and French aircraft attacked Egypt. This was just after Soviet forces had invaded Hungary. The west lost much of its moral high ground as the assault on Egypt seemed like old-fashioned western imperialism aimed at undermining true Egyptian independence., The president at the time, Eisenhower, was very critical of this attack and caused Israeli forces to retreat. As a result Egypt got the right to run the Suez Canal which ran right through its territory.
Then, in 1967, Israel launched a preventive war and all but destroyed the Egyptian airforce on the ground as well as grabbing the Sinai and what was left of Palestine. In 1973Egypt attacked Israel to regain the Sinai and eventually that was done through diplomactic means. In 1982 Irael invaded Lebanon - and again a couple years ago. Last year there was an attack upon Gaza. The notion that other nations kept attacking Israel is misleading.
Over the years I have become convinced that Israel has been repressive of the Palestinians, treating them like subhumans. I have been to the Holy Land on Chrisian Pilgrimages four times and each time return more sympathetic to the Palestinians. Many of them are Christian, of course, and the churches in the Holy Land are united against the Israeli occupation.
Should we be anti-Israel? No. And there is blame and also extremists on both sides. We could, however, have been and should have been genuinely sympathetic and supportive of both sides. Instead we chose to finance Israel, arm Israel and defend Israel diplomatically, as when the UN would vote, like, 170-4 to censure Israel. Even with all that Israel continues to this day to thumb its nose at the US when our government, both GOP and Democratic administrations. have asked them not to keep building settlements ofn Palestinian land. Our politicians, of course, are intimidated by the Israel lobby which targets anyone who doesn't keep in line.
Anyway, our mistaken policy in that situation is where the anti-Americanism was first rooted, developing into Al Qaeda and 9-11. Had we been evenhanded I doubt if we would be in our present mess. Other factors have since played a role, but it started with US disregard for the rights and welfare of the Palestinians.
I suggest you read a wonderful book that goes into all this in detail: The Israel Lobby and U. S. Foriegn Policy by two renowned college professors. There are several Jewish groups that also oppose Israel"s iron-fist policies. Check "J Street" and "Rabbi Michael Lerner" on the internet - and there are others.
So, I would not wear a Star of David because I do not want to be viewed as a supporter of Israeli policy today. I strongly favor a two-state solution, and my hope and pray is that this can be achieved and that both Israelis and Palestinians will be able to live in peace.
What if Mexico demanded to have returned to it California, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, etc,, that we took from them less than 200 years ago? Would we sit by idly and let that happen. Put yourself in the place of the Palestinians who, despite warped propaganda, have lived in the Holy Land for centuries and their lands were seized by invaders who claimed it from 2000 years before. I knew a woman, now deceased, who still had the key to her home and that of her ancestors in Jerusalem and she was chased away in 1967, her home taken without compensation, and she could not even visit the city of her birth.
"Let justice flow down like waters and righteousness as a mighty stream..."
And I have to add that I am not sure that God is in the real estate business, nor am I comfortable with any concept of a Chosen People. We are all God;s children - equally.
So much more to say, but I plead with posters who are only pro-Israel to read both sides. The US made a tragic error by not following a balanced policy that could have brought justice and peace to this special part of the world.
May God bless people of every creed and country and color. May religion be a bridge and not a barrier.