Retales de masonería – Nº 74 – Agosto 2017 union of two peoples, antagonistic each toward the other, opposed in religion and dissimilar in manners, yet united in the one person. So does one common brotherhood result from Freemasonry and is the precious reward of all its participants. 'Hiram' is short for the Hebrew 'Ahiram' which means 'my brother is exalted'. In addition, Hiram is described as being "most wise, imbued with prudence and understanding." Most interestingly, Hiram Abif, denotes from the Hebrew 'Av' meaning 'father' or 'leader', that he was the Chief Builder of the Temple at Jerusalem. All these are historical facts. But, what of the authenticity of the legend of the Third Degree? Some Freemasons are disposed to give it full credence, while others look upon it simply as a beautiful allegory. It may be contended that the very silence of Scripture in relation to the death of Hiram is an argument in favor of the mysterious nature of that death. A man so important in his position as to have been called the favorite of two kings, of Israel and Tyre, would hardly have passed into oblivion when his labor was finished, without the mention of a single line, unless his death had taken place in such a manner as to render a public account of it improper. The account must be kept safe in the secret society where all are believers. But, even if it be admitted that the legend of the Third Degree is fiction — that the whole Masonic and extraScriptural account of Hiram Abif is simply a myth — it would not in the slightest way affect the validity of its message. The legend realting to him is of no value as mere narrative, but of immense importance to a symbolic point of view illustrating one of the most vital philosophical and religious truths — namely the dogma of the immortality of the soul. Fact and imagination, the real and ideal, may be closely united when the goal permits. Undoubtedly, the Solomonic Freemasons of the Temple wished to utilize Hiram Abif as the symbol of man developed in the life here and in the life to come, thus emphasizing that the experience of closeness to the Almighty begun on this earth is continued and intensified, by all who deserve it, in the world of eternity. The Bible and the Craft are inextricably linked to the glory of the former and the betterment of the latter.
The autor Brother Cyril K. Harris Chief Rabbi of the Union of Orthodox Synagogues of South Africa Excerpt from a lecture given to Table Mountain Lodge #6824, of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of England .