I was out visiting another lodge last night (making new friends is a big part of masonry). A Jewish Rabbi was being initiated into their lodge. On the Masters pedestal laid the Bible (the standard book for the lodge) but, because the initiate was Jewish, the Torah was also there so he could swear an oath on the book that had spiritual significance to him.

The meal afterward was buffet style in order to accommodate the dietary restrictions of Jewish people during Passover. It sounds like the beginning of a joke, but there was a Jewish Rabbi, a couple of people from Persia, an Eckist, a Christian and a guy from Mauritius all smiling and laughing together. The ages ranged from people in their twenties to people in their eighties but we all got along well.

It’s hard to think of a more diverse bunch of people, but Freemasonry had brought them all together as brothers. It was a great way to spend a night.