Happy Hanukkah!

Reflecting on our Charges this holiday season

“A Mason is oblig’d, by his Tenure, to obey the moral Law; and if he rightly understands the Art, he will never be a stupid Atheist, nor an irreligious Libertine. But though in ancient Times Masons were charg’d in every Country to be of the Religion of that Country or Nation, whatever it was, yet ‘tis now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that Religion in which all Men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves; that is to be good Men and true, or Men of Honor and Honesty, by whatever Denominations or Persuasions they may be distinguish’d; whereby Masonry becomes the Center of Union, and the Means of conciliating true Friendship among Persons that must have remain’d at perpetual Distance.”

-The Constitutions of the Free-Masons, 1723

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“…religious disputes are never suffered within the lodge, for as Masons we only pursue the universal religion, or the religion of nature; this is the center that unites the most different principles in one sacred band, and brings together those who were the most distant from one another.”

“A MASON is obliged by his tenure to observe the moral law as a true Noachida; [Sons of Noah, the first name of Free-Masons] and if he rightly understands the craft, he will never be a stupid atheist nor an irreligious libertine, nor act against conscience.

In ancient times, the christian masons were charged to comply with the christian usages of each country where they traveled or worked; being found in all nations, even of divers religions.

They are generally charged to adhere to that religion in which all men agree (leaving each brother to his own particular opinion) that is, to be good men and true, men of honor and honesty, by whatever names, religions, or persuasions they may be distinguished; for they all agree in the three great articles of Noah, enough to preserve the cement of the Lodge.

Thus masonry is the center of their union, and the happy means of conciliating persons that otherwise must have remained at perpetual distance.”

-Ahiman Rezon, 1756

These were radical statements in the days that they were written and adopted by their respective Grand Lodges. Indeed they remain radical statements in some parts of our world today.

But, they hold one of the primary keys to peace among men, and peace over the entire face of our earth.

I think that it is important for us to, from time to time, read and reflect upon those documents that serve as the foundation of our Craft, and the means through which it has improved the lives of countless millions for hundreds of years.

To all of our Brothers of the Jewish faith, Happy Hanukkah! I hope that you and yours have a most wonderful holiday!