Freemasonry’s Jewish origins are rooted in 18th-century Enlightenment values and Kabalistic influences. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
1. **Kabalistic Roots:**
- *The Zohar (13th Century):* This core Kabbalah text describes the universe as created by divine language—echoing Masonic symbolism.
- *Isaac Luria (16th Century):* His teachings on the "broken vessels" of creation influenced early Masonic concepts of cosmic repair.
2. **Enlightenment Era Syncretism:**
- *Spinoza & Deism:* Baruch Spinoza’s pantheistic philosophy shaped Masonic views on nature and God, blurring Christian/Jewish boundaries.
- *Sabbateanism & Frankism:* Heretical Jewish movements emphasizing ritual transgression and messianic fervor inspired some early Masons.
3. **Rothschild Patronage (18th-19th Centuries):*
- *Meyer Amschel Rothschild:* Financed Masonic lodges across Europe, promoting unity under liberal ideals.
- *B’nai B’rith (1843):* Founded by German Jews, this fraternal order mirrored Masonry but with explicit Jewish goals.
4. **Symbolic Overlaps:**
- *Solomon’s Temple in Rituals:* The Temple features prominently in both Freemasonry and Judaism—symbolizing divine wisdom.
- *Hebrew Alphabet & Numbers:* Kabbalistic gematria is reflected in Masonic use of geometric patterns and numerical codes.
5. **Modern Implications:**
- *Zionist Connections:* Early Zionists like Herzl were influenced by Masonic universalism; some argue this shaped Israel’s founding principles.
- *Anti-Semitic Backlash:* Conspiracy theories linking Freemasonry to a "Jewish plot" have fueled persecution throughout history.
Prominent Jewish Freemasons have shaped the fraternity’s history and ideology. Here are key figures:
1. **Meyer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1812):**
- *Founding Patron:* Financed early Masonic lodges across Europe, promoting unity under liberal ideals.
- *Family Legacy:* Subsequent Rothschilds continued supporting Masonry, influencing its global spread.
2. **Adolphe Crémieux (1796-1880):*
- *Grand Master of France:* First Jewish leader of a national Grand Lodge—advocated for religious tolerance and civil rights.
- *Political Impact:* Played key roles in French politics, including drafting the 1875 Constitution.
3. **Simon Wolf (1836-1923):*
- *B’nai B’rith Founder (1843):* Created this Jewish fraternal order mirroring Masonic structures but focused on Jewish welfare.
- *Interfaith Bridge Builder:* Worked to improve Catholic-Jewish relations through Masonic networks.
4. **Albert Pike (1809-1891) & Judaism:**
- *Kabbalistic Influence:* ethnically Jewish, Pike incorporated Kabbalistic principles into Scottish Rite rituals—blending esoteric traditions.
- *Anti-Semitic Controversies:* His writings contain both praise for Jewish mysticism and derogatory remarks about Jews—a complex legacy.
5. **Modern Figures:**
- *Rabbi Leon Spitz (1897-1958):* Wrote extensively on the compatibility of Judaism and Freemasonry—challenging orthodox objections.
- *Harold Reinhart (1908-1977):* Prominent Canadian businessman and Mason who supported Israel’s founding through fraternal networks.
In summary: These individuals exemplify how Jews have contributed to Freemasonry’s development while navigating complex relationships between their faith and the fraternity’s universalist ideals. Freemasonry borrowed heavily from Jewish mysticism and Enlightenment thinkers with Jewish backgrounds, leading to symbolic overlaps and patronage ties—but also fueling anti-Semitic conspiracies about its origins.
Because there has been such a powerful cover up of the role Jews have played in Freemasonry, this subject must be dealt with. The Reformed Rabbi Gotthold Saloman wrote that Freemasonry was more a Jewish movement in origin than Christian. However, as is so often the case today, Jews can say things about themselves which if Gentiles, the Goy, say the same thing, then the non-Jews are in serious trouble.
The initial formation by four Masonic lodges in 1717 of the first public Grand Lodge, included several Jewish Masons as participants. These were Marranos Jews (Jews converted to Christianity) and included Mendez, de Medina, Alvarez, and Baruch.29 In other words, Jews were there from the start. A look at the seals of the various Masonic groups in England in the 18th century reveals a Jewish or magical influence.
Many books, induding Morey's recent one, portray the American lodges as anti-Jewish. This is a smokescreen. The only Grand Lodge that was really anti-Jewish was the Prussian Grand Lodge which eventually transformed itself into the Thule
Society and then into the Nazi Party. The reason that the Prussian Lodges became concerned in the early 19th century about Jewish control of Freemasonry could be a book in itself, but was based on several items, 1. being close to the several radical Jewish movements in Poland and the German States, the Germans were more aware of what was taking place, 2. in Germany warnings were given by ex-Masons and Masons, 3. German authors like Johann Christian Ehrmann in 1816, Eduard Emil Eckert (Der Freimaurer-Orden in seiner wahren Bedeutung, c. 1850), and Georg Michael Pachtler to name a few wrote books warning the Germans about Freemasonry and the power of Jews within the lodges.
A close examination by reliable Masonic, Jewish, and other sources reveals that the Jews have indeed played an important part in the Masonic lodges since their beginning. A person today will witness for instance such things as the Feast of Tishri observed by for instance the Arkansas Lodge of Perfection.
SECRET DENS OF ANTI-CHRISTIANITY
The first early lodges in the various European nations of Scotland, England, German states, and France built upon a number of existing organizations. Various secret societies were built upon.
Although it is beyond the scope of this chapter to explain Masonry's early history, it will be found in the Knight's Templar groups, in the secret societies of Europe and the Middle East
l.e. Order called Roshaniva, the Assassins, & Sufism, the Rosicrucians, the Prieure de Sion, the Mystery Religions
"The technical language, symbolism, and rites of Masonry are full of Jewish ideas and terms. In the Scottish rite, the dates of all the official documents are given according to the Hebrew month and the Jewish era; and use is made of the older forms of the Jewish alphabet."
- Jewish Encyclopedia 1903, Vol. 5, page 503
