Australia, the Jewish community and Freemasory

“Freemasonry is a worldwide fraternity that has always had an attraction for Jews. The movement uses a great deal of Jewish material,” Rabbi Apple said.  RABBIS who are also Freemasons – no, not the plot for Dan Brown’s latest Da Vinci Code sequel, but the topic of a historical paper being penned by emeritus rabbi of Sydney’s Great Synagogue, Rabbi Raymond Apple. Founded in the Middle Ages, Freemasonry rituals were based mainly on the Old Testament. In an effort to appeal to men from all corners of Christendom the ideology was strictly non-denominational, which, according to Rabbi Apple, made it appealing to Jews.
Over the centuries many Jews, including leading rabbis, have been Freemasons. They must have felt good to encounter their own biblical figures, Noah, Nimrod, Solomon, Hiram and others, at a Masonic meeting. Those with a scholarly inclination were often motivated to research the Masonic application of Jewish legends.”
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