Star of David

[Didymus]

I purchased a star of David neclace this fall to wear to show my support of isreal and my love for the Jewish people. i don t wear it all the time but then I don t wear a cross all the time either.
I was told that Jew are offended to see a gentile wearing their symbol. Any opinions ? I do not wear it tooffend. Some Christians think I shoouldb t wear it because people will think I am Jewish as if that was a bad thing.

 

[MissytheButterfly]

My personal opinion is that you should wear what you want.. but don't be surprised if some Jewish people and or Christian people become upset by you wearing the Star of David.

You have to make your own decisions in life, and not let anyone persuade you one way or the other. If someone asks, by all means explain why you wear the Star of David or the Cross. If they cannot accept your explanation that's their problem.

Now of course you will get those that will say, "Well you shouldn't wear it because it will offend this group or the other.." But guess what ? Whatever you do offends someone in one way or another so what's the difference. As long as YOU personally know you aren't doing it to hurt or defame anyone's religion then do what you wish..but of course expect some backlash.

Bless you in whatever you decide,
Missy

 

[LightHearted]

I'm not Jewish, but when I was younger, I wore a Star of David necklace. I thought that it was extremely beautiful.

 

[Ruhama]

I think people will assume you're Jewish, and Jews will often be a bit uncomfortable when they find out you're not.

Some things... are touchy. I agree that you should wear what you want - but wearing a star is sort of like saying "I'm a Jew" - saying that while not being it is going to ruffle a few feathers.

It's kind of like you're invading a family heritage.

If it were me I'd do this: have it as your keychain, or as a patch on your backpack... or something like that.  I'm not sure about it but my guess is that it would broadcast "supporter" rather than "Jew."

Too many things have been usurped by the Gentiles, and especially the Christian Gentiles, and this is one thing that has not been taken away.  Really, be careful.

 

[Talmid HaYarok]

As a Jew I'd have to say to try not to act Jewish or be a wannabe. Then people will have a bad reaction to it. With replacement theology, wanting to be "Jew-like" is not a good thing.

If you do it in support of Jews and Israel and you let them know it if they become curious then it will probably be looked upon favorably.

After September 11th I put an Israeli flag up in my apartment window. Many people asked about it of course while everyone else was putting up American flags. I said it was a reminder among other things that the American people are not the only ones who suffer from terrorism. Which lead to a big discussion starter where I was able to talk about faith, patriotism in a proper light, and compassion for others. Be prepared for it to become a big discussion issue in your life for as long as you choose to wear it.

 

[Didymus]

I thought of wearing it on the same chain as my cross. I also have put a stand with an American and Israeli flag in my stereo so far the only person to say anything is my older daughter who says it s silly as we are not Jewish. I sincerely believe that countries who do not defend Israel even if they don t fight against her will bbe destroyed.

 

[MissytheButterfly]

Well Didymus.. let your conscience be your guide.

Bless you,
Missy

 

[sfg]

I am a messianic Jew and I say wear it.

It can only work as flattery when you are not understood.

sfg

 

[SonWorshipper]

6th March 2003 at 07:56 PM Didymus said this in Post #1

I purchased a star of David neclace this fall to wear to show my support of isreal and my love for the Jewish people. i don t wear it all the time but then I don t wear a cross all the time either.
I was told that Jew are offended to see a gentile wearing their symbol. Any opinions ? I do not wear it tooffend. Some Christians think I shoouldb t wear it because people will think I am Jewish as if that was a bad thing.

From a Gentile prospective. If you want to show your support for Israel, prayer is the most important and is what is needed most. That aside, to physically do it I would say to wear a Messianic symbol such as my avatar is, which shows the full unity of Israel with Messiah and was a symbol just recently found that was used by the Jerusalem church in the first century. I also have a necklace that is a star of David with a fish overlaid upon it. My husband got this for me and I have yet to wear it, because I don't want to offend any Jew, but to make them comfortable and not be deciptful, they have had enough of that.

I will most likely wear it only to synagogue, but not out in public.

My Messianic Necklace looks like this

it comes in two sizes, 1 1/4 I think and 2 inche, which I have.

I think this one may be a good choice too

It shows the Jewish roots so to speak of Christanity.

As far as showing support as suggested you could get a key chain, or a pin such as this which would quietly wherever you go speak of your love and support for Israel.

Another way that we show support is to fly an American flag on one side of the car and an Israeli flag on the other. You can get one like this

Here at the Israeli Shop for only $4.50 US as well as one or more of those pins.

Hope that helps you some!

 

[Didymus]

thanks i have the two flags pin already. I plan to wear the star on days like purium and passover and not all the time. but then i don wear my cross all the time either.

 

[SonWorshipper]

Sister P4I, I understand where you are coming from, I was just giving my perspective from my neck of the woods. Our congregation meets right across the street from the JCC, and we are smack dap in the middle of a large Jewish section of a big city. We try not to offend but to welcome. I think you live on the west coast right? It is probably a little different than the east coast.

Also I think that wearing a star of David necklace purports more of a afiliation message to a religion than a country. That is why I suggested the flags.

Just offering my 2cents.

 

[SonWorshipper]

I'm sorry, I thought I had read you were in California? Well at least I got the warm climate right!

You did not word anything wrong, I just wanted to reitrate where my perspective was coming from for the author.

I will go and call the doctor now to schedule an appointment to have my foot removed from my mouth! :o LOL

 

[SonWorshipper]

LOL. I wonder if there is a limit on my insurance to how many times I can have this done?

 

[Didymus]

sometimes i only open my mouth to change feet.

 

[SonWorshipper]

Yesterday at 07:46 PM Didymus said this in Post #17

sometimes i only open my mouth to change feet.

Hey Didy, I never thought of that one, thanks!~

 

[NOTso angry-amy]

it is interesting that you ask that. i have worn my star of david since i was 6 years old. i have 2 that i interchange when my style of dress dictates.

at some point i acquired a chamsa (sp?)and have taken to wearing that. it is shaped like a hand, and has the channukia in it. i have a friend who i met on a missionary trip and she asked me if i would find a chamsa for her because she loves the jewish people so much.

it never occurred to me that non-jews would want to wear a symbol that has previously been used as a way of identifying a certain group of people.

hitler used the star of david as a way of separating out the jews. and the jews took the star back so that it could be a positive statement of faith instead of carrying such a negative connotation.

if you want to wear a star, or a chamsa, or a channukia, by all means... go ahead. i think that is a great idea... but like others already said, dont be a poser.

there are some things that non-jews are not supposed to do, and i would say to stear away from those things as it could be seen as you mocking the jewish people or something similar. DO NOT wear tafillin. DO NOT wear Tallet. those are BIG no-nos.

 

[NOTso angry-amy]

i find it offensive.

even if you say the right prayers in order to put them on... it is still offensive. i was raised that you can only wear them if you have been bar/bat mitzvah. non-jews dont get bar/bat mitzvah... therefore, they chouldnt wear them.

the pastor at the messianic congregation that i went to a few times wears the tassels that orthodox men wear. and he tucked them into his pockets like the orthodox men of NYC do. it rubbed me the wrong way. not only did he not bar mitzvah, but he was not even geneologically jewish. this was a problem for me and became a rather large stumbling block.

 

[NOTso angry-amy]

he claims to be messianic jew.

and your confusion mimics my confusion over the situation. this was the reason that i decided to not return.

 

[NOTso angry-amy]

rabbi in the sense that "rabbi" translates to teacher. but he called himself the pastor.

now you understand why i am becoming more and more turned off by organized religion, and why i thought that it was sort of cult-like at this congregation? it took a few times to figure it out..... but i am not going back.

 

[Talmid HaYarok]

My old congregation in Seattle had both a Jew and a Gentile as pastor. The Jewish pastor also acted as Rabbi and the Gentile pastor as Cantor. I loved it as it was very harmonius and inconclusive that way.

Sadly enough it didn't stay that way forever because the congregation eventually split.

The wearing of the Tallet is a big deal for me and I've always intended to do a lot more bible study on it. There are always so many things to do though. I was not Bar Mitzvahed as even the Jewish relatives I do have are strictly non-religious (anti-religious rather) and would just prefer not to be found doing anything which requires being in a building dedicated to religious purposes. However, I'm still Jewish and want to be as biblicly (sic) observant as possible. Isn't the wearing of the Tallet a commandment like wearing Tzitzit?

For the record I neither own one, nor ever wear one. It also disturbs me to see non-Jewish men wearing one in a congregation though because it seems very fake and poser-ish.