🚀 go-pugleaf

Here is a quick overview of the Order of Judas Maccabeus, which is
currently extant, although not very large.

The Order was founded in 1971 as an appendant body to the York Rite, and is
for brethren who do not feel they can take the obligation of the Knights
Templar.  It is equal, in level, to the Knights Templar in that a candidate
must be a Master Mason in good standing, a member of Royal Arch, and a
member of Council.  The Shrine cannot currently be reached via this order,
however, there are attempts being made to make this another path available
to the brethren who do not wish to travel the Scottish Rite, or go through
the Knights Templar.

The Order is open to all brethren and is focused on the historical figure
Judah Maccabee who, in the 160`s B.C., fought and defeated, despite
tremendous odds, the armies of Antiocus IV (a.k.a. Epiphanes) who at the
time had control over Judea.  Judah Maccabee`s reasons for fighting were
freedom both from the oppression of a foreign ruler, as well as religious
freedom.  Antiocus IV had subjugated Judea to the point of having them turn
away from their faith in favor of the Helenistic faith pushed upon them by
their Greek ruler.  Judah`s father, Mattacias, was the Rabbi of one of the
larger temples which was invaded by the Greeks, the altar torn down, and
the temple rededicated to Zeus.  Mattacias and his followers fled to the
hills, however he died shortly after their escape.  Judah, having had
clerical training while growing up, took over as their leader and led a
small army from the hills against Antiocus IV and finally claimed victory.
The Order teaches the value of believing in yourself, the power of faith,
and the necessity that men be free to follow their own paths.

The Grand Assemblage was founded in Rochester, NY and currently has its
base there.  There are Assemblages in other states as well, however there
are not many.  Gerald Glaser (Sovreign Grand Commander = Grand Master)
stated, in a 15 minute phone conversation, that the Genesee Valley
Assemblage (covering my area of New York) meets four times a year, which is
standard for other Assemblages.  The Grand Assemblage currently follows, to
the letter, the Book of Constitutions and the Masonic Law of Grand Lodge
F&AM State of New York, although the idea is entertained that in the
future, when necessary, the Grand Assemblage will update and create its own
laws.


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We are well met on the level, as all should be when traveling through life.
 Mark G. Dibelka
 Geneseo, New York (USA)