Observations on Orthodox Jews and Freemasonry

Observations on Orthodox Jews and Freemasonry

As an Orthodox Jew and someone who has come into contact with a few Freemasons, I offer an honest perspective on how Orthodox Jews perceive this organization.

Personal Experiences with Freemasonry

Personally, I've met only one traditional Jewish Freemason. Despite his involvement in community service and fundraising for a children's hospital, he has depicted the recent changes in the chapter—opening its doors to women—rather negatively. His enjoyment of the meetings has significantly decreased since the changes, reflecting a mixed sentiment within the Orthodox community regarding these modifications.

Another participant in Freemasonry is someone I know, and even though he is a nice individual, he still chooses not to engage in golf as fiercely once he joined the Masonic brotherhood. This anecdote highlights how some Freemasons might view interaction with Masonic culture as somewhat altered, yet still positive, albeit with a notable adjustment in their personal enjoyment.

General Perception and Relevance

Interestingly, my understanding of the Orthodox Jewish perspective is that they do not particularly care about Freemasonry, either positively or negatively. We know two Orthodox Jews who are Freemasons, and one more who was married in a Masonic hall. I have a mild interest in joining if given the chance, but like most people, it's not a pressing concern for me.

The reality is that Freemasonry, while well-known, is not a major topic of discussion in our community. Rabbi Raymond Apple of Sydney, a celebrated Orthodox Jewish Rabbi, once spoke highly of Freemasonry's contributions to society. His experience, however, is quite unique as he is one of the few known Orthodox Freemasons. Most of my secular Jewish friends are involved in Freemasonry, but this is less common among Orthodox Jews.

The more ultra-Orthodox community, particularly those in the 'black-hat' community, often harbors a level of suspicion towards Freemasonry. Rabbi Apple had to extensively justify his membership, emphasizing that Freemasonry is neither Christian nor idolatrous to assuage these concerns. He addressed rumors about Christian, pagan, or Egyptian rituals, refuting them in various articles.

Current Views and Analysis

Despite the occasional rumors, most Jews, whether Orthodox or not, likely do not care much about Freemasonry. The perception is often that Freemasonry is no more than a quaint gentlemen's club. My personal experience with Freemasons suggests that they are generally harmless individuals, similar to any other club or group.

My connection with traditional orthodoxy is somewhat attenuated, but I personally am not concerned about Freemasons. What they do or believe seems neither sinister nor particularly interesting to me, based on the information I have gathered. The Masonic oath to help each other is seen by many, including myself, as a form of mutual support, akin to the bonds within any club. The secrecy surrounding their rituals might be a vestige of a past era when any perceived 'heretical' organization faced persecution.

Overall, while Freemasonry may hold some intrigue for some, it remains a relatively unremarkable organization in the larger scheme of life for Orthodox Jews. The most significant issue is the acceptance and adaptation of changes that may be brought about by integrating women or altering traditional structures within the organization.