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1. What can you tell me about the Star of David and its origins?

The Magen David ("Shield of David") has become the most universally recognized sign of Judaism and Jewish identity. It is a six-pointed star formed by two interlocking equilateral triangles, one pointing upward and one pointing downward. The earliest known Jewish use of the star was on a seal from about the 6th century B.C.E. In the synagogue of Capernaum in Israel (2nd century), the star appears as a decorative design on a stone frieze.

In Arab sources, the star, called the "seal of Solomon" was widely used. Legends connect this symbol with the magic signet ring used by King Solomon to overcome evil spirits and demons. From 1300 to 1700, Jewish mystics used the terms Shield of David and Seal of Solomon interchangeably. They considered the two triangles to represent the reciprocal relationship between the heavenly realm of the sefirot and the earthly abode of the people.

Theodor Herzl selected the Star of David to be the symbol of the new Zionist movement. Today, the Star of David is widely used on religious articles and in the decor of many synagogues, as well as on necklaces and other jewelry as a secular symbol of Jewish identity.

2. My mother often knocks on wood and has no idea why she does this? Can you help me?

Knocking on wood is a superstitious practice intended to protect one from evil. It is a non-Jewish practice, even though many Jewish people do it. Many connect this action to Christian beliefs that relate wood to slivers of the cross, which were believed to bring good luck. However, this practice has a more universal, pantheistic origin. Long before the time of Jesus, some cultures regarded trees as gods. Believers were convinced that touching or knocking on wood could produce magical results.

3. Is it a Jewish custom to wish someone God's blessings after he sneezes?

Jewish legend maintains that a sneeze used to announce impending death. The story is told that until the time of Jacob, a person, at the close of his life, sneezed and instantly died. Some ancient peoples believed that the "little explosion in the head" ensured approaching eternity. Rather than a mere irritation of the nasal passages, a sneeze was deemed a grave omen. Indeed, this may be the underlying reason for the development of the custom of saying "God bless you" or "good health" (gezunt heit) or in Hebrew "la'breeyut" to one who has sneezed.

A traditional belief is that when a person sneezes during a conversation, whatever has just been said will occur, based on the concept of "sneezing on the truth." While not as foolproof as a direct prophecy, it is said to indicate that events that are rational and plausible will actually come to pass or that an event that has already occurred really happened just as the story related.

Rabbi Ron Isaacs is the spiritual leader of Temple Sholom, a Conservative congregation in Bridgewater. His forthcoming new book is "Siddur Or Shalom," a Shabbat morning prayerbook. Contact him at www.rabbiron.com or "Ask the Rabbi," c/o Rabbi Ron Isaacs, Temple Sholom, P.O. Box 6007, Bridgewater, N.J. 08807.