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„Ich denke in Figuren …“

Der Magen David als Symbol und Denkfigur im ‚Stern der Erlösung‘ Franz Rosenzweigs

Silvia Richter


Seiten 1 - 20



Franz Rosenzweig’s ‘The Star of Redemption’ (1921) is deeply influenced by the figure of the Magen David which is depicted, not by coincidence, on the title page of the book. In fact, the symbol reflects the structure as well as the content of the highly complex “thought-building” of the Star. This article is intended to elaborate the significance of this now familiar Jewish icon, which became the Magen David for the work of Franz Rosenzweig. First, I will provide a short overview about the origins, the history and the different meanings of the Magen David throughout history, and then explore the use of the Magen David in the work of Franz Rosenzweig in particular by taking a closer look at his letters and other biographical material. This leads us, finally, to recognize the significance of the Magen David for the writing of ‘The Star of Redemption’, i. e. why and in what manner Rosenzweig concretely uses this symbol in his work. In fact, the Star can be read as two triangles, one pointing upwards and one pointing downwards, which overlap: on one level the three elements God, World, Man and, on another, the reciprocal connections of these elements in the second triangle, reflecting Creation, Revelation and Redemption. This double structure of the Star of Redemption can be depicted graphically and exegetically through the figure of the Magen David.

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