The flag of Israel has a nationalistic symbol dating only to the seventeenth century. It is known as a Magen David and has two intertwined triangles making six points.

The first known flags of the Jewish nation were those carried by the Israelites during their march through the desert on their way to the Land of Israel. Each of the twelve tribes had its own flag with its own symbol. The color of each flag was the same as the color of the precious stone which represented the tribe in Aaron's breastplate."

"When the Jews were scattered throughout the world and had no state or army, they had little uses for flags. In the late Middle Ages, however, flags were occasionally awarded to individual Jews or communities by secular rulers. The community of Prague, for example, displayed a flag with a six pointed star, later to be known as the Shield of David (Magen David)."

"The Magen David became a recognized Jewish symbol in the middle of the 17th century. The heads of the Jewish communities of Prague and Vienna used it and aristocratic Jewish families of Rothschild and Montefiore included it in their family coats-of-arms. The early Zionist societies used it as a national emblem, generally with the word ziyyon (Zion) on it."

"The flag of Zionism was first created by David Wolfsohn. He took the stripes from the tallith, which was, he pointed out, the traditional flag of the Jewish people, and added the Magen David in the center."

"In 1933 the 18th Zionist Congress decided that "by long tradition, the blue and white flag is the flag of the Zionist Organization and the Jewish people."

"Soon after the State of Israel was proclaimed in 1948, this flag, with two horizontal blue stripes against a white background and a Shield of David in the middle, was adopted as the national flag." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

The following quotes comes from the Old Testament Supplemental Study Guide 2002 by Daniel Rona:

There are symbols in modern Judaism that purportedly date back to David's and Solomon's times. One of the most popular is known by non-Jews as The Star of David. Those of the House of Israel call it the Magen David, the sign or shield of David.

"MAGEN DAVID ("Shield of David"), the six-pointed star, has become the generally accepted emblem of the Jewish people. Tradition tells us that King David wore a Magen David on his shield, and that King Solomon had the symbol inscribed on his ring in place of the name of God to give him dominion over demons. In spite of its long history, it is however only recently that the Magen David has become an exclusively Jewish symbol."

"During the early Middle Ages, Christians decorated their churches and cathedrals with the Magen David. For Muslims it was a magical sign; in Arabic sources the Magen David was also known as the "seal of Solomon" and this alternative name was taken over by Jewish groups as well." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

The Magen David is always shown as two triangles, interwoven. One possible explanation is that the two triangles represent a characterization of the Urim and Thummim. According to statements attributed to Joseph Smith, the Urim and Thummim were two triangular stones connected by a silver bow. One pointed up, the other pointed down. Superimposed they make a fascinating Magen David!

According to a paper given at Hebrew University by John Tvedtnes, now Senior Researcher at FARMS (BYU), the words Urim and Thummim may come from Egyptian words similar to "RMMM" and "TMMM," one meaning yes or act upon it (positive), the other a more negative meaning (leave it alone).

Since the Urim and Thummin were revelatory tools, it is possible that they represent or operate on a simple principle of revelation. The answer is yes or no.

"But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right." (D. & C. 9:8)

As popular as the Magen David is, the official symbol of the State of Israel is the seven-branched Menorah."

The following quotes come from the New Testament Supplemental Study Guide 2003 by Daniel Rona:

The artistic renditions of the "Magen David" (Star of David) on the synagogue have a noteworthy exception. There are two of these at Capernaum. One of them is straight up; the other (like most of these symbols everywhere else), are at a slight right slant. The fact that the symbol is slanted denotes the destruction of the temple. The one at Capernaum and a few others that are straight seems to indicate that they were carved while the temple was still standing.

I see the Lord's people as a "temple society," a "Zion," with eleven parts of the camp on the outside circle. Each tribe had stakes with banners (flags) identifying their location. They circled one tribe, the priestly Levites, who made a ring around the Lord's "presence," his tabernacle. The tabernacle, the "Holy of Holies" and center part of the camp of Israel, was likewise identified by stakes that were draped with curtains because of its very holy and high priestly state.

The following quotes come from the Old Testament Supplemental Study Guide 2002 by Daniel Rona:

Is it possible that the areas of responsibility and assigned living were "staked" out, that there were stakes, or standards that identified the living areas?

"The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron saying "The Israelites shall camp each with his standard under the banners of their ancestral house" (Numbers 2:2). The standards borne by the 12 tribes served the same purpose as heraldic devices. Their colors and emblems were: Reuben red; emblem mandrakes. Simeon green; emblem the town of Shechem. Levi white, black and red; emblem the Urim and Thummim (Deuteronomy 33:9). Judah azure; emblem a lion. Issachar black; emblem a strong- boned ass or sun and moon. Zebulun white; emblem a ship. Dan sapphire; emblem a tent or a lion. Naphtali rose; emblem a hind. Asher aquamarine; emblem an olive-tree. Ephraim and Manasseh black, embroidered with a picture of Egypt; emblem: Ephraim, a bullock and Manasseh, a wild ox. Benjamin 12 colors; emblem a wolf." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

In the ancient days, the inner two courtyards were draped or had curtains draped between the stakes or poles and cords so that the sacredness and dignity of the priestly area and the Lord's habitation were maintained.

"Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken." (Isaiah 33:20)

1)  PASSOVER & SEDER MEAL
2)  THE TALITH
3)  THE MENORAH
4)  THE MEZUZAH
5)  THE FLAG OF ISRAEL