Page 55 - WM Manual Guide and Monitor 2024 - 2025

The Twelve Points of Entrance

(Symbolizing the Opening, Raising Ceremony and Closing of the Lodge)

The Opening of the Lodge is symbolized by the Tribe of Rueben
The First Son born to Jacob and Leah

Reuben was the first-born of Jacob, who called him the "beginning of his strength,"
the door through which the children of Israel entered the world. He is therefore, the
adopted emblem of that ceremony which is essentially commences every initiation.

The Preparation of the Candidate is symbolized by the Tribe of Simeon
The Second Son born to Jacob and Leah

Simeon prepared the instruments used for the slaughter of the Shechemites, which
angered his father who abhorred the cruelty that was inflicted, thus the candidates
for initiation were deprived of all weapons, deprived of all metallic substances.

The Report of the Senior Deacon is symbolized by the Tribe of Levi
The Third Son born to Jacob and Leah

In commemoration of the signal Levi gave his brother Simeon when they attacked
the Shechem at a time they were incapable of defending themselves. This attack
was precipitated due to an insult to Dinah, their sister, by Shechem, the son of
Hamor.

The Entrance of the Candidate is symbolized by the Tribe of Judah
The Fourth Son born to Jacob and Leah

They were the first to cross the River Jordan, and enter the Promised Land,
coming from darkness and servitude in the wilderness, into the Light and Liberty
of Canaan.

The Prayer was symbolized by the Tribe of Zebulun

The Tenth Son born to Jacob and Leah

The blessing and prayer of Jacob were given to Zebulun, in preference to Issachar.

The Circumambulation of the Candidate is symboled by the Tribe of lssachar
The Ninth Son born to Jacob an,d Leah

The Tribe of lssachar were known as a thriftless and indolent tribe, accordingly,
they required their leader to advance them to an equal elevation with the other
tribes.