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Can a Jewish Brother Wear a Yamaka in a Lodge Room?
- Thread starter scialytic
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CajunTinMan
Registered User
It is not a hat. It is something to show his servitude to God. Something that we, as , Masons believe in.
SeeKer.mm
Premium Member
Agreed, I don't see the Yamaka the same as I see a hat. It is of a religious nature as you said to show their servitude to their God, and as such, I would respect it as being a part of their very being, as I am sure they see it too.
scialytic
Premium Member
I was reading through the Most Worshipful Grand Masters' of Texas Decisions and thought it was an interesting question.
Grand Master's Decision -2006- No. 1 says yes a Jewish Brother may wear a "Yamaka Hat" in the Lodge Room, so long as the brother wearing it does not (a) by wearing the Yamaka challenge the authority of the WM, or (b) seek to make a religious or political statement by wearing it.
Interesting...but it makes complete sense. Wonder how that would work for a Sikh?
What is the origin of the WM and the hat? The jewel is the implement, where'd the hat come from?
Grand Master's Decision -2006- No. 1 says yes a Jewish Brother may wear a "Yamaka Hat" in the Lodge Room, so long as the brother wearing it does not (a) by wearing the Yamaka challenge the authority of the WM, or (b) seek to make a religious or political statement by wearing it.
Interesting...but it makes complete sense. Wonder how that would work for a Sikh?
What is the origin of the WM and the hat? The jewel is the implement, where'd the hat come from?
CajunTinMan
Registered User
Masonic hats worn by the Master of the Lodge signify his authority of his rank and status...the origins of which go back over many centuries.
The wearing of a hat by the Worshipful Master alludes to the crown that adorned the head of King Solomon.
In the United States, a Stetson Homburg or Fedora style hat is quite popular and is often chosen by the Master of the lodge. Other hat brands and styles are also worn.
Albert Mackey, Masonic researcher and historian had this to say about Masonic hats in his Revised Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry, 1929:
To uncover the head in the presence of their superiors has been, among Christian nations, held as a dutiful obligation.
Among Eastern nations, it is their custom to uncover their feet when they enter a place of worship.
Kings:
Historically, Kings wore crowns to denote their rank, while the courtiers standing around him removed their hats in deference to his superior status.
Ancient Romans
We are told that the ancient Romans prayed with their head covered or veiled.
The woolen cap, called a pileus, was allowed to be worn only by the free-by-birth or manumission (papers with which one is formally released from slavery), but it was forbidden for Roman slaves to wear this cap.
House of Commons - London
Historically, it was customary that a member of the English Parliament, London's House of Commons, wear a hat when he addressed the membership of the House. If he were to have risen to speak without his hat, other members would greet him with cries of "Order, Order"!
France
In France, it was the custom of monks at the Sorbonne, (previously called the University of Paris which was founded in 1257 by Robert de Sorbon) to remove their cap when a member did not wish to speak or was in token of agreement with the others.
(End of Mackey quote from Mackey's Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, 1929)
Masonic Hats: United States:
Today, Masonic hats are worn, ceremonially, in the United States during the time when the lodge is in session. Some Grand Lodges require that the hat be constructed with a brim. Others simply decree that the Worshipful Master remains covered at all times.
Masonic Lodge of Education
The wearing of a hat by the Worshipful Master alludes to the crown that adorned the head of King Solomon.
In the United States, a Stetson Homburg or Fedora style hat is quite popular and is often chosen by the Master of the lodge. Other hat brands and styles are also worn.
Albert Mackey, Masonic researcher and historian had this to say about Masonic hats in his Revised Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry, 1929:
To uncover the head in the presence of their superiors has been, among Christian nations, held as a dutiful obligation.
Among Eastern nations, it is their custom to uncover their feet when they enter a place of worship.
Kings:
Historically, Kings wore crowns to denote their rank, while the courtiers standing around him removed their hats in deference to his superior status.
Ancient Romans
We are told that the ancient Romans prayed with their head covered or veiled.
The woolen cap, called a pileus, was allowed to be worn only by the free-by-birth or manumission (papers with which one is formally released from slavery), but it was forbidden for Roman slaves to wear this cap.
House of Commons - London
Historically, it was customary that a member of the English Parliament, London's House of Commons, wear a hat when he addressed the membership of the House. If he were to have risen to speak without his hat, other members would greet him with cries of "Order, Order"!
France
In France, it was the custom of monks at the Sorbonne, (previously called the University of Paris which was founded in 1257 by Robert de Sorbon) to remove their cap when a member did not wish to speak or was in token of agreement with the others.
(End of Mackey quote from Mackey's Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, 1929)
Masonic Hats: United States:
Today, Masonic hats are worn, ceremonially, in the United States during the time when the lodge is in session. Some Grand Lodges require that the hat be constructed with a brim. Others simply decree that the Worshipful Master remains covered at all times.
Masonic Lodge of Education
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widows son
Premium Member
Cool. I never thought of the WM hat allegorically being a crown of Solomon. Im not sure for the rest of canada, but our WM doesn't wear a hat. Not sure for the reason but I will ask now 
Brent Heilman
Premium Member
I was wondering that if one of those that said no would mind explaining their views? I am curious as to why.
scialytic
Premium Member
I can't speak for the nays specifically, but it is probably for the same reason I posted it: It could be counterintuitive to some if they haven't seen or (in my case) never thought of it.
The Laws of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas defines the head covering worn by the WM as a crown shaped hat with a full circle brim. It is also worn at the discretion of the presiding WM (i.e. only if he wants to wear it) for funerals, memorials, and open meetings of the Lodge. Otherwise the ancient custom of the Master presiding "covered" must be complied with. And also that *required* religous head coverings are allowed to be worn by the Brethren.
I'm learning something new everyday. Thanks the the most enlightening post Brother Cajun.
The Laws of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas defines the head covering worn by the WM as a crown shaped hat with a full circle brim. It is also worn at the discretion of the presiding WM (i.e. only if he wants to wear it) for funerals, memorials, and open meetings of the Lodge. Otherwise the ancient custom of the Master presiding "covered" must be complied with. And also that *required* religous head coverings are allowed to be worn by the Brethren.
I'm learning something new everyday. Thanks the the most enlightening post Brother Cajun.
Brent Heilman
Premium Member
I have never seen it as a hat like Bro. Seeker said.
Bro. Graham,
That Decision has been superseded by the following:
Art. 278. Master Presiding “Covered.”
The ancient custom of the Master presiding “covered” must be complied with, except that the Brother presiding at Masonic funerals, memorial services, graveside services, or during open meetings of the Lodge, may at his discretion, preside over such services and ceremonies uncovered.
To be “covered” shall mean the wearing of a hat, and a hat is described as a head covering with a shaped crown and a full circle brim. No person other than the presiding Master shall wear any type of head covering, except for required religious head coverings (italics mine), while in Lodge or at other Masonic ceremonies. (Revised 2010)
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CajunTinMan
Registered User
They would still be able to wear kippah. That should meet both standards.
widows son
Premium Member
What's a kippah?
CajunTinMan
Registered User
The small cloth, for lack of a better word, bennie. Yarmulke.
Frater Cliff Porter
Premium Member
I have to say regardless of a constitutional rule, I would always allow a man be he Sikh, Druze, Jew, etc. to follow his religious tradition in lodge. Its about freedom of and not freedom from.
scialytic
Premium Member
I thought that sounded familiar Brother Bill ;-) ... Though an amateur like myself didn't include the article number (doh!) But again, I learn something new...I now see that the article was revised in 2010. So where does it reflect that the edict was superceded? In the law and proposition documents? Please tell me there isn't *another* place I have to look to interpret the laws <overly-dramatic sigh> (To be completely honest...this is all kind of fun!)
