Freemasonry and Judaism

FREEMASONRY AND JUDAISM

by Bro. & Comp. Paul M. Bessel

July 1989

This paper was prepared to accompany presentations February 15, 1989, at Annandale Royal Arch Chapter No. 77 May 5, 1989, at Mt. Vernon Royal Arch Chapter No. 14 and July 11, 1989, at Henry Knox Field Lodge No. 349.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a summary of information on the topic of this talk, plus a bibliography, for interested readers.

The books and articles cited in the bibliography were consulted in preparing this talk and paper. However, the opinions expressed are solely those of the author of this paper, who will be happy to receive any comments or corrections on the talk or this paper at the following address:

Paul M. Bessel

2301 Jeff. Davis Hwy.

Apt. 1521

Arlington, Virginia 22202-3818

FREEMASONRY AND JUDAISM

Introduction
My father, Martin Bessel, was a Freemason from 1946 until his death in 1977. He was brought up in a religious Jewish family and he was orthodox in following more of the traditional rules than most Jews in the United States. He was very proud to be a Jew, as well as a Mason and an American.

I was somewhat surprised, because I recall hearing rumors that Freemasonry required members to say or do things in accordance with the Christian religion and that it was not really an American institution, but I knew my father would not belong to an organization that had these characteristics.

Years later, on the tenth anniversary of my father'€™s death, I was initiated into Freemasonry and am now an active member of several lodges, plus the Scottish and York Rites and the Shrine.{1} I am trying to learn more about Masonry, just as I continue to read about my heritage as a Jew and as an American. The reasons are the same, because I am proud to belong to each of these groups and to support the ideals for which they stand.

Jews and Freemasonry
Jews were actively involved in the beginnings of Freemasonry in

America. There is evidence they were among those who established

Masonry in 7 of the original 13 states: Rhode Island, New York,

Pennsylvania, Maryland, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia.{2}

A Jewish Mason, Moses Michael Hays, helped introduce the Masonic Scottish Rite in America. Hays was also Deputy Inspector General of Masonry for North America in 1768, and Grand Master of Massachusetts from 1788 to 1792. Paul Revere served under him as Deputy Grand Master. There were several other Jews who held the title of Deputy Inspector General of Masonry in the late 1700'€™s:

Solomon Bush in Pennsylvania, Joseph Myers in Maryland and later in

South Carolina, and Abraham Forst of Philadelphia in Virginia in

1781. Another Jewish Grand Master was Moses Seixas in Rhode Island

from 1791 until 1800. There were many other American Jewish Masons

in early American history, including one in George Washington'€™s

original Fredericksburg Lodge.{3}

Jewish Masons played an important part in the American Revolution,

with 24 of them serving as officers in George Washington'€™s army.{4}

In addition, several helped finance the American cause, including

Haym Salomon, a Philadelphia Jewish Mason who with others

contributed and raised money for the American war effort and loaned

money to Jefferson, Madison, Lee, and others for their personal

expenses. Salomon was imprisoned by the British and died in his

40'€™s bankrupt and with penniless heirs.{5}

There is evidence that Jews, including Rabbis, continued to be

involved in the Masonic movement in the United States throughout

our history. There have been at least 51 Jewish American Grand

Masters, including 2 in Virginia'€”Solomon Jacobs in 1810-1812 and

Seymour Jonas Levy in 1975.{6} Today there are many Jews active in

Masonry in America and other countries. Israel has about 60 Masonic

lodges with 3,000 members.{7}

Jews had also been involved to a small extent in the formation of

modern Freemasonry in the early 1700'€™s in England. Until then Jews

were not permitted to participate in many of the ordinary

activities of life. Then the Enlightenment concept of the

universality of all people brought about a society where people'€™s

religious beliefs did not affect their rights as citizens. Jews

were gradually permitted to exercise the rights of citizenship and

to pursue their lives as they wished. Judaism as a religion was

also affected by the Enlightenment, with the development of Reform

Judaism which teaches a continuing belief in the fundamental

concepts of the religion without requiring compliance with all the

strict rules of observance.{8}

Many Jews viewed joining Freemasonry as part of their

'€śemancipation'€ť from the old legal and social exclusions. Modern

Masonry was as much a product of the Enlightenment as the

emancipation of Jews. Many society leaders were Freemasons and if

Jews could join this fraternity that would prove they were being

accepted. They could also use the opportunities presented by their

participation in a social organization with Christians to prove the

two could prosper by their association. Freemasonry'€™s philosophy

of the brotherhood of all people indicated Masonry would accept

Jews as members.{9}

There are many common themes and ideals in Masonic and Jewish rituals, symbols, and words.

Judaism'€™s most basic teaching is to believe in God who created everything in our existence and who gave us laws to follow, including the requirements to act honorably and kindly toward everyone. Belief in God, prayer, immortality of the soul, charity, and acting respectfully to all people are essential elements of Freemasonry as well as Judaism, and of course other religions too.

Judaism teaches that God'€™s law is contained in the Torah, which is the Jewish Bible and the first 5 books of all Bibles. Jews are taught that the Torah is the eternal law given to us by God who has said it is complete, will never be changed even by God, and can never be altered by any mortal.{10} This can be compared with the statement in the Masonic ancient charges and regulations that it is not in the power of any man or body of men to make innovations in the body of Masonry.{11} In both cases this may sound unduly rigid, but hopefully a greater purpose is served. Masonry and Judaism, as well as other religions and statements of ethical standards, teach that we must discipline ourselves and keep our passions in check. We follow rituals in synagogues and in Masonic lodges to help us develop this ability.

I have noticed many other similarities between the best aspects of Freemasonry and Judaism. Some are on the highest level, such as belief in God and ethical behavior toward all people, and some are as mundane as the tradition of having food after completion of the rituals.

Shortly after the birth of all Jewish men, they are circumcised in a family celebration as a sign of the covenant between God and our ancestor Abraham.

Thirteen years later Jewish males have a ceremony called a Bar Mitzvah which consists of learning to recite prayers and Biblical portions in Hebrew and to participate in Jewish rituals, and after which we are considered to have all the rights and duties of Jewish men. Masonry similarly establishes a bond with new initiates that is raised to a higher level after the prospective Mason has learned the ritual needed to participate fully in Masonry.

Both Judaism and Masonry give the greatest respect and support for freedom of individuals. Judaism teaches that everyone is capable of good or evil and attempts to help us use our free will to choose the righteous path.{12} Masonry teaches that those who are morally fit can find '€ślight'€ť in Masonry if they desire it of their own free will. The concept of exercising free will to accept the law and atone for past transgressions is what Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are about. Jews believe the ten days at the start of our new year are to be used to atone for past sins and resolve to try harder to avoid sin in the future.

Light is an important symbol in both Freemasonry and Judaism.{13}

One of the Jewish holidays is Chanukah, called the Festival of

Lights, commemorating the victory of the Jewish people over those

who had made the practice of our religion a crime punishable by

death around 165 B.C.E. (B.C.E. stands for Before Common Era, and

is used in the Jewish religion as the equivalent of B.C.). Light

is also an important symbol in Masonry, representing the Divine

spirit, religious freedom, and rededication of the Temple in

Jerusalem and of the spiritual Temple within us all.{14}

One of the fundamental symbols of Masonry is the Temple of Solomon and the Second Temple, which also figured as the central part of the Jewish religion. King Solomon, one of the greatest figures in Jewish history, is also one of the most important figures in Masonic rituals.

Both Judaism and Masonry also teach support for authorities and the duties of authorities toward those over whom they exercise power. Jews are taught to respect and obey parents and rabbis, just as Masonry teaches the authority and the duties of those who have been elected to leadership positions in our fraternity.

Finally, there is a positive effort in both Judaism and Masonry to encourage learning. This has led to the large numbers of Jews who have had distinguished careers in science and other professions, and it also explains part of the reason for the continuity of Masonry and Judaism for centuries. Those who encourage scholarship insure the perpetuation of their ideals.

While there are many common aspects of Judaism and Freemasonry, it also should be recognized that because of the history of attempts to force Jews to convert they can be uncomfortable about being asked to say Christian prayers or otherwise indicate non-Jewish beliefs. Some parts of Masonry use New Testament prayers, references to Saints, the cross as a religious symbol (although it is stated that the cross is being used as a symbol of religion in general rather than the Christian religion), and one Masonic organization requires aspiring members to swear to support the Christian faith. Jews can deal with these references to other religions by remaining quiet or not participating in those parts of Masonry. I do not want to overemphasize these matters, though, since they are outweighed by the deepest meanings of Freemasonry'€” the universality of all people.

Historical Disputes within Freemasonry about Jews
Masonry did not always welcome Jews. Although a Jew, Edward Rose,

became a Mason in a London lodge in 1732 this event apparently

excited attention and led to other lodges debating whether they

should permit Jewish members. Eventually, significant numbers of

Jews joined English Masonry where they were apparently

welcomed.{15}

The French Revolution and Napoleonic wars carried the ideals of the

Enlightenment throughout Europe, including the legal emancipation

of Jews and the secularization of the State. French Masonic

lodges, and those in different countries affiliated with the French

Grand Orient during the Napoleonic occupations, admitted Jews

without restrictions.{16} In 1869 a Jew was Grand Master of the

Scottish Rite in Paris.{17} However, later in the 1800'€™s French

society became more anti-Semitic, culminating in the Dreyfus affair

where a French army officer was unjustly accused of treason mainly

because he was a Jew, and French Masonry unfortunately also became

more anti-Jewish. Today, some parts of French Masonry are

officially neutral about religion and do not even require a belief

in God.{18} In Scandinavia,

I have read, Masonry is officially Christian and does not accept

Jewish members.{19}

It is probably not surprising that the country with the longest

history of anti-Semitic prejudice in Freemasonry as well as in

society is Germany. Most lodges there did not permit Jews to be

members, and they even questioned visiting Masonic brethren about

their religion at the doors of their lodges and barred Jews even if

they were Masons in good standing in other lodges. This caused

lodges in England, the Netherlands, and the United States to

protest but they did not retaliate against visiting German

Masons.{20}

Even in Germany there were some differences in attitudes. There

were three Grand Lodges in Berlin plus some in other cities, and

some German lodges were affiliated with Grand Lodges in other

countries. Therefore, some German lodges had policies prohibiting

visiting Jewish Masons, while others accepted Jewish members or at

least permitted them to visit. Some German lodges allowed Jews

with resources to become Masons in other countries and then return

to become official '€śpermanent visitors'€ť in the German lodges that

barred them as members.{21}

German officials feared secret societies as potential sources of

subversion, so the Prussian government became involved in Masonry

as a means to watch and control it. The future Kaiser Wilhelm I

was the patron of the three Berlin Grand Lodges for many years, and

he decided that Jews would only be permitted if there was unanimous

agreement. Since one of the Grand Lodges was known to be adamant

against accepting Jews, this forced the others who wanted to be

more tolerant to maintain anti-Jewish policies.{22}

In Russia, Freemasonry was also suppressed because of the belief it might be used to support political activity against the Csarist regime, at the same time that Jews were prevented from obtaining rights of citizenship in that country.

Various claims were made by those who wanted to keep Jews out of Masonry. Some said Masonry was a Christian institution and Jews could not become members unless they converted. Some said only Christians could possess the good character necessary to achieve Masonic ideals.

Others said Masonry has Christian symbols and prayers but Jews

could become Masons if they simply complied with requirements such

as swearing on the Christian Gospels and eating pork at Masonic

meals (eating of pig products is prohibited by Jewish law), without

having to convert. However, there was also an argument that if a

Jew voluntarily complied with Christian practices he showed he was

contemptuous of his own religion and had a bad character, and was

thus unworthy to be a Mason.{23}

Another argument was that Jews preferred to be in their own social groups. It was said they should not try to push their way into Masonic lodges where they were not wanted, would be uncomfortable, and would make others uncomfortable by their presence. Some Jews did join lodges that were primarily Jewish and the B'€™nai B'€™rith organization in its early days had a ritual parallel to Freemasonry.

Finally, there were the rawest anti-Semitic arguments. Some of

those who wanted to keep Jews out of Masonry said the Jewish

religion was inherently evil, or that Jews were racially and

genetically evil and could never be permitted in Masonry even if

they converted.{24}

Some supporters of Jews in Masonry urged Jews to be patient and wait years for a time when they would eventually be accepted. Jews were advised to abide by quotas and try to hide their presence in lodges.

These things may sound ridiculous or horribly racist, but similar arguments are sometimes heard even now as grounds for discrimination against certain people.

There is one story of courage in Masonry that I believe is

important enough to single out. The Royal York Lodge in Berlin had

been a liberal lodge in the early 1870'€™s but later it went along

with the increasing anti-Semitism of those times. When Dr. Hermann

Settegast was Master of the lodge in 1890 he proposed that anyone

objecting to admission of new lodge candidates should be required

to state that he was not objecting because of the candidate'€™s

religion. When this proposal was rejected, Dr. Settegast resigned

and founded a new Mother Lodge in Berlin with a membership about

half Jewish and half Christian. Dr. Settegast'€™s action caused a

furor in Masonry. While the three other Berlin Grand Lodges and

the German government fought it, Dr. Settegast'€™s new lodge

continued.{25}

In general, Freemasonry'€™s attitudes toward Jews mirrors those of the rest of society. Jews became more acceptable from the late 1700'€™s until the 1870'€™s. From that time on, anti-Semitism increased in many countries. This also occurred in Freemasonry, but by then Judaism and Masonry were being jointly attacked.

Attacks on Freemasonry and Jews Together
Freemasons and Jews always had critics. Eventually the bigots realized they could promote their ideas by tying Masons and Jews together as objects of hatred.

Critics said Freemasonry and Judaism were dedicated to undermining the institutions of existing society, including Christianity and the State, and pointed to the secrecy associated with both as proof of their evil intentions. Masons and Jews were said to be involved in, or benefited from, radical efforts such as the American, French, and Russian revolutions. Masonry and Judaism promoted free will of men, contrary to efforts of those who sought to insure that people had the '€ścorrect'€ť thoughts. (This may explain why the Roman Catholic Papacy has expressed its antagonism toward Freemasonry so frequently and strongly since 1738{26}, and why extreme conservatives in other religions also oppose Freemasonry.) Gradually the charge was made that Freemasons and Jews were both evil and they were purposely supporting each others'€™ radical schemes.

Ironically, Masons and Jews were also sometimes accused of being too reactionary. Aristocrats often belonged to Masonic lodges, and some German Masons promoted the return of the Kaiser after World War I brought about a republic. Also, some Jews still dressed and acted in the same conservative ways as their ancestors in the middle ages and thus kept themselves apart from modern society.

Increasingly Jews and Freemasons were accused of being disloyal to their countries, keeping strange secrets, and designing to take over the world.

The ultimate form of this hatred was the sinister '€śProtocols of the Elders of Zion'€ť, which originated in Russia and received wide circulation after it was translated into German in the 1920'€™s.

Some bigots claimed this document was a transcript of a meeting of

Jewish leaders plotting world domination, in partnership with

Freemasons.{27} Although this document was not even a clever hoax,

its influence was unbelievably widespread and long-lasting in

whipping up hatred against Jews and Masons by many, including Henry

Ford in the United States during his long anti-Jewish campaign in

the 1920'€™s and 1930'€™s.{28}

It was a short step from this to the ideology of the Nazis. Hitler

attacked Masons as well as Jews, and after taking control of

Germany and other European countries Nazis used the slogan '€śAll

Masons Jews'€”all Jews Masons'€ť, and persecuted Masons, Jews, and

others. The Soviet Union and other totalitarian regimes have

consistently attacked Freemasonry, because they cannot tolerate an

organization whose basic beliefs are freedom of individuals and

tolerance and generosity toward all people.{29}

Dictatorships have regularly attacked and persecuted Masons and

Jews, and these attacks on Masons and Jews together are not all in

the past. Last year a group called the '€śIslamic Resistance

Movement - Palestine'€ť said that Freemasonry and other

'€śZionist-affiliated'€ť organizations are about to be liquidated.{30}

As usual, there is one country that has the longest and most sustained tradition of tolerance'€”the United States. With few exceptions, this country has been the haven for people with different ideas, religions, and beliefs. Freemasonry in the United States has been accepted, except for a brief period around the 1830'€™s{31}, and Jews generally found a haven of peace and acceptance in America. Abraham Lincoln said our country would be a shining light for the whole world.{32} Its attitudes toward Freemasonry and Jews have generally met that standard.

Conclusion
Freemasonry and Judaism have been subjected to attacks and persecution. Both, plus all others of good will, must continuously be alert and prepared to defend against prejudicial attacks.

At the same time, we should candidly recognize that sometimes differences have existed even among those with similar goals, and we should emphasize these common ideals and aspirations.

The fundamental tenets of Freemasonry and Judaism are similar. We should promote the greatest goals of religion and the dignity of all people, through the free will of men who demonstrate their strength of character.{33} These are the things Masonry, Judaism, and the United States stand for, and this helps me understand why my father was proud of his heritage as a Jew, a Mason, and an American.

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Stationery Co., Bloomington, Illinois
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