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Address of R.W.
Bro. James F. Kirk-White Ruth and the Entered Apprentice Degree At the time the foundations of our Speculative Masonic rituals were being laid, we were mostly a Christian organization and a good deal of our Work was originally based on the Old Testament. So tonight brethren, let’s utilize the Old Testament and have it minister unto our speculation about THE SLIPSHOD HEEL in the E.A. degree.From the most ancient times it has been customary, as a token of respect, to remove the shoes before stepping onto holy ground. The practice is mentioned many times in the Bible, on the first occasion when Moses saw the burning bush and the Angel of the Lord said to him: "put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is Holy ground". And in most Eastern countries it is customary to remove the shoes before entering a temple, such as the Muslims do before entering a mosque. Symbolically, within Freemasonry, the "slipshod heel" might be regarded as equivalent to removing the shoes on Holy ground. However, let us ‘speculate’ tonight that the slipshod heel is actually a confirmation of the obligation taken by the E.A. candidate and a sign of fidelity. With that goal in mind, let’s discuss the Book of Ruth which relates particularly to the Entered Apprentice Degree, and (in my opinion) the reading of that Book could be of value to any Entered Apprentice in preparing for progress to the next degree. But why the Book of Ruth? Because within Ontario Jurisdiction, the V.O.T.S.L. is opened at Ruth, Chapter 4, Verse 7 in the Entered Apprentice Degree. And it states, “Now this was the manner, in former time in Israel, concerning redeeming, and concerning changing, ...for to confirm all things: a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and that was a testimony in Israel.” Shoe removal is referred to, within the American work, in the Entered Apprentice Degree as an explanation for an item of the candidate's mode of preparation. In Scotland, the candidate confirms his Obligation by taking off a slipper and handing it to the R.W.M. However, shoe removal does not appear in the wording of the Canadian Ritual. But as earlier stated, in our Ontario Lodges, the V.O.T.S.L. is opened at Ruth Chapter 4, Verse 7 in the Entered Apprentice Degree and Verse 7 refers to the removal of a shoe. Perhaps tonight’s discussion will clarify, to some extent, the biblical wording of that Verse, and at the same time, demonstrate how a study of the V.O.T.S.L. can become a valuable tool in the self-education of any Freemason, whatever degree he may have attained. Let us begin our speculation by recognizing that King Solomon, King David and Boaz are all connected -owing to Ruth, and, the removal of a shoe. Ruth was the great-grandmother of King David, and it was the removal of a shoe which is how this came about. To understand the story completely however, two other old Hebrew customs should be borne in mind, namely: "LEVIRATE": Which is the Hebrew custom of a man being obliged to buy the property, and take over the widow of a brother who had died without leaving a son. It then became his duty to get a son by the widow, "to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance". (Note: The term "brother" should not necessarily be taken literally; it may have meant a near, or probably the nearest, male relative). Then there is "HALISAH" ( The Hebrew: "act of untying the shoe"): This was a testimony to the refusal of a man to marry his brother's widow, demonstrating that the surviving brother (or nearest kinsman) could "opt out" of his obligation. The initial characters in this story are Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and their sons Chilion and Mahlon who had migrated, in a time of famine, from Bethlehem to Moah. It was in Moah where Mahlon married Ruth, a woman of that country. Subsequently Elimelech, and both of his sons died, leaving no children. Thereupon Naomi was determined to return home to Bethlehem. Ruth, her daughter-in-law, who held great affection for Naomi, decided to leave her own people and accompanied Naomi to Bethlehem. There Ruth attracted the attention of Boaz, a wealthy man and relative of Elimelech. Boaz, obviously with the levirate custom in mind, said to Ruth: "And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman; howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I; if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well let him; but if he will not, then will I do the part". On being charged by Boaz to do his duty, by purchasing Elimelech's estate and taking over his widow Naomi, the kinsman at first agreed, but then he demurred when Boaz added that Ruth was part of the transaction. This change of heart apparently was caused by the fact that whereas Naomi was an Israelite and beyond the age of child-bearing, Ruth was young and a foreigner, and presumably he did not want her future children competing with his own for his inheritance. "Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe". The V.O.T.S.L. goes on: "And Boaz said unto the elders and unto all the people, ye are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech's and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi. Moreover Ruth, the Moabite, the wife of Mahlon have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance." So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife; and when he went in unto her the Lord gave her conception, and she bare him a son. "...and they called his name Obed, he is the father of Jesse, and Jesse is the father of David". Boaz therefore was the great-grandfather, and Ruth the great-grandmother of David, who was the father of Solomon. And now you know the rest of the story. Brethren, at this time, let each of us call to mind that special moment, when we took upon our first Masonic obligation, and try to recall the sensation felt by the slipshod heel. Personally, it’s been so long, I cannot remember giving it much thought, or even unto the present -until I started to research this topic for tonight’s message. But prior to that, the slipshod heel was just another Masonic symbol that I must check out some day Experts have said that maintaining a secret is one of the most difficult of deeds for people to accomplish. Well Masons must be extraordinary people, for according to the public, our Order is nothing but secrets, which of course is untrue as we learned from our discussions about solicitation. But we can, and do, preserve some things sacred and inviolable, and one of those things being our obligations. Interestingly, and regardless of the passage of time, the obligation we all took as an Entered Apprentice is one of the most unforgettable moments in our lives. If there is a lesson to learn tonight, it is that there is more to our obligations then just the spoken words. I believe it is the totality of the ceremonies which creates the fervent desire to “honour” our obligations. Virtues such as temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice are inspiring and amply justified to us right from the start. However I believe, it is “honour” which becomes the first Masonic virtue we Masons learn to truly apply to ourselves. Our Grand Master’s advice to get Back to Basics and utilizing Masonic education on a steady basis is great advice and has led us to tonight’s speculation. By speculating upon a symbol, the slipshod heel, which is often before us in open lodge, we have introduced the speculative argument that “honour” is the first, and possibly, the most meaningful and beautiful of Masonic virtues. If you disagree, then I toss out this challenge: The brethren who might be in favour of placing another virtue in this speculative category, then perhaps they might demonstrate their points for us all, at a later date of course, at one of their lodge meetings, or a 4th degree. But please, be sure to invite me to this meeting, as I know it would be an exceptional, and entertaining evening, of Masonic speculation and one I would not want to miss. In conclusion my Brethren, addressing the art of speculation, think about this final assertion. It is
not the purpose of Freemasonry to teach the meaning of symbols. Brethren for the fine banquet, your warm hospitality and your friendship, I thank you. by
R.W. Bro. Kirk-White. Parts of this message were adapted from |
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