May Master's Letter: “May May Bring Us More Maysonry Light”
Calendar:
May
05/07/25 (Wed) Regular Communication
05/19-20/25 Grand Lodge: 2025 Annual Communication
05/21/25 (Wed) Special: EA Degrees
05/28/25 (Wed) Social: Master's Table — TBD
June
06/04/25 (Wed) Regular Communication
06/18/25 (Wed) Special: EA Degrees
06/25/25 (Wed) Social: Master's Table — TBD
Brothers!
What might May mean for us, Masons? The month of May is most universally associated with rebirth and rejuvenation, as growth and re-emergence of flowers and vegetation surround us. Our own beloved poet Brother Burns described the beauty of this month in his poem:
It was the charming month of May,
When all the flow'rs were fresh and gay.
Joyful and merry when it enters, May leaves us on a very solemn note: Memorial Day. May is not just about blissful, charming and fresh rebirth, but it is also about anguished and painful death. For we are all born to die.
It is worth noting the connection that we as Masons have to that special day. Brother John A. Logan (1826-1886), a Civil War General and later a leader of the Grand Army of the Republic (a fraternal organization of Union Army veterans), authored this Memorial Day Order:
The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
This led to the establishment of Memorial Day as a national holiday. Michigan, by the way, was the first state to make this an official state holiday.
And in between these two opposing points of May — the charming rebirth and the sorrow of death — we have the light of life laudable pursuit.
From the moment we receive the first light, we are in search of and desire for more light, and more light being the object of our search. We continually ascend and better ourselves by every onward step.
In April we gave more light to three Brothers by helping them pass to Fellowcrafts. It was a memorable ceremony in the awe-inspiring grander of the Tudor room in the Detroit Masonic Temple; I really wish more of you were there…
I would like to take this opportunity, and shed more light onto some of the numerical symbolism that plays an important and significant role in both Masonry and the Hebrew tradition. In particular, the numbers 3, 5, and 7.
The total of 3, 5, and 7 is 15 which is a significant number in numerology and the Hebrew alphabet. 3, 5, and 7 eventually bring us to the place of perfection where the letter “G” illumine the mind and conscience of every God-fearing man. This number fifteen, represents in Hebrew numerology “Yah” - “יה” - which is the abridgment of God’s name as it appears in the Bible. The basic 9-digits “Magic Square” results in fifteen when three numbers are added, either way - perpendicularly, horizontally or diagonally:
4 9 2
3 5 7
8 1 6
The ancient Hebrews held this magic square in veneration, because the central number - 5 - represents the Hebrew letter “ה” which is another abridgment of God’s name; with that sacred character in the centre, the value fifteen (Yah, יה) becomes the constant resultant from every direction.
Moreover, the priestly benediction (in Hebrew, Numbers, 6:24) is a three-versed blessing which consists of fifteen words; the first verse has three words, the second has 5, and the last verse is comprised of seven words.
24. The LORD bless you and keep you;
25. The LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26. The LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
(Yes, the word counts do not match the English version, but you’ll have to trust me that the Hebrew original is more efficient and uses only 3, 5, and 7 words in the above three verses respectively…)
Concluding reminders:
While not part of our official trestle board, our Brothers from St. Mary’s Lodge #4 will be conducting an EA Degree at Saline Temple: 9:30 breakfast 10 am Gavel. I encourage you to attend (Regretfully, due to a happy & joyful event of my son’s graduation I will have to miss this).
Please let me know if you have any opinions about the proposed amendments and resolutions for the upcoming Grand Lodge Session (see details in the Advanced Notice that was attached to the minutes of April Regular).
May the Fourth be with you, to be followed by the Revenge of the Fifth!
With Brotherly Love,
Zevi Bareket
Worshipful Master