Rabboni

by 

N. TRACY WALKER

      The word “rabboni” occupies a unique position in our Masonic vocabulary, yet the literature relating to the word, and to the Most Excellent Master degree wherein it comes to our attention, is extremely thin.  A great need exists for scholarly additions to that literature – particularly in the areas of historical development and philosophical definition.  However, this paper will limit itself to a consideration of certain ramifications implicit in several of the unique aspects of the word.

    Every degree now under the control of a recognized rite in the United States contains one or more words which are central to the communication of that degree.  Such words are usually characterized as principal and/or passwords, and are always indispensable elements of the degree – in some instances being the only really essential element.  Generally they allude to phenomena central to the theme of the degree, to physical objects associated with the degree or its setting, to places or personalities celebrated in connection with the events of the degree, to moral virtues promulgated in the degree, and the like.  In many instances the association of word and degree are remote, but an effort is always made to establish a relationship between them.

   Within this large and diverse lexicon, only the work “rabboni” entails connotations which are personally and intimately meaningful to the candidate.  In all other degrees the candidate, having passed through the experience of the degree, is instructed regarding the word or words associated with it.  This instruction normally consists of a simple disclosure of a secret to which he has become entitled, accompanied by a more or less detailed explanation of its relationship to the degree.  His competence to share the secret rests upon his promise that he will not disclose it unlawfully, presumably reinforced by the moral instruction imparted through the lesson of the degree.

   In the Most Excellent Master degree, however, the system of the disclosure of the word is unique in American Masonry.  Here the work is communicated almost as an expletive.  It is revealed to the candidate personally, directly, dramatically, aloud, in full – and without the slightest attempt at concealment or diffusion.  The disclosure of the word is inextricably interwoven into the action of the degree, and is made by the representative of King Solomon, unequivocally announced to be such.  It is delivered to a candidate clothed in the character of a craftsman with whom Solomon had long been associated in the progress of a complex and ennobling endeavor.  Its revelation is a manifestation of the exuberance consequent to the successful completion of that endeavor, and is a vindication of the sacrifice which it entailed.

   These circumstances imply that special trust and confidence have been reposed in the candidate as a product of arduous trial – a new and special relationship has arisen between him and the fraternity.  He bears the mark of distinction, for “rabboni” is not a secret to be gained by a simple promise to worthy, but by a proven and demonstrated right to share.  Thus, the disclosure of this word represents the highest possible reward – the granting of responsibility through confidence in the recipient’s capacity to exercise it.  And what is that responsibility?  It is that of a teacher, which is the basic meaning of the word “rabboni.”

   This duty is emphasized again and again in the Most Excellent Master degree, and in a manner which presupposes the competence of the candidate to meet the responsibility.  The degree offers ne pedagogic instruction because it presumes such instruction to be superfluous; the candidate is viewed as having completed his training phase and is now cast in a new role.  As such, he is not made privy to yet another secret word, but instead is vested with a personal title to be proudly shared with all who qualify for it.  It is a title which distinguishes a man actively engaged in an important human endeavor.  It is a generic title which asserts technical qualification in an intellectually-based profession – it suggests wisdom and learning – akin to a doctor, judge, professor, or priest.

   Even as the Most Excellent Master degree does not provide instruction for the role of teacher, it likewise does not impart new accretions to the candidate’s store of basic Masonic knowledge.  In lieu of adding to his fund of technical craftsmanship, the degree bears witness to his Masonic maturity, and confers the title “rabboni” as the seal of that maturity.  The drama of the degree presumes that the candidate enjoys full technical capability and is actively engaged in the exercise thereof.  Accordingly, he is not given a word to enable him to prove his proficiency in a specific aspect of his craft, but he is vested with a public, universally-recognized title which certifies his overall competence to practice his profession in any and all places and circumstances.  For “rabboni” means more than teacher; it carries a parallel avouchment of operative proficiency which is expressed in the phrase “most excellent master.”

   Several features of the Most Excellent Master degree amplify the concept of the completion of training in Craft Masonry.  Since the degree does not add to the candidates fund of technical lore, no new working tools are place in his hands.  In seeking admission to the lodge, he does not implore promotion through a willingness to submit passively to having a sequence of actions performed upon him; on the contrary, he actively solicits a reward which has become his right through merit.  He asks to be received and acknowledged, implying that his achievements have already been sufficient to demand distinction, and he now calls upon the fraternity to visit that distinction upon him.

   The most significant feature, however, is that he is not receive upon some instrument of the craft of whose proper application he is then in ignorance, but upon the most advanced and sophisticated product of his craftsmanship.  It is one with which he has had personal experience, which has caused him personal anxiety and travail, whose history and importance are familiar to him, and which he recognizes as the crowning conception of a genius whom he venerates.  The keystone, in shore, is his master’s piece, representing the ultimate artistry of his craft, and his proficiency in the manual skills of his vocation is certified by his reception on it.

   The candidate then demonstrates his understanding of the particular in relation to the whole by seating the keystone to complete the last arch – the climatic act of his career in Craft Masonry.  Parenthetically, he should perform this act himself rather than watch another perform it on his behalf, and the process should call for the use of all the working tools with which he has become adept in Craft Masonry.  This can be done, and in some places is being done, with much greater significance to the candidate.

   By the resumption of his apron, he indicates his acceptance of the dual role of teacher and architect; and by this act he finally becomes “rabboni.”

    Finally, the subsequent importance of this word is another of its unique aspects.  In all other degrees of Masonry, the words have significance only to the degree in which they occur.  The word pertaining to an Entered Apprentice is significant only to Entered Apprentices, and means nothing to Fellowcrafts except as they are working in the character of Entered Apprentices.  In no case does a word pertaining to one degree command consideration or justify admission to any other degree; it merely enables a brother a brother to prove himself to be of the grade to which it pertains.

    Not so with “rabboni.”  Alone among such words, “rabboni” provides the key to advancement in grade.  Only by the use of this word does the candidate gain admission into a chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and only by it is he enabled to surmount the challenges which confront him as he strives to be permitted to participate in the labors of Royal Arch Masons.  Having survived those challenges, it is as a Most Excellent Master that he engages in those labors which ultimately earn exhaltation.

    Significantly, in other degrees the candidate is ignorant of the key which will merit promotion – it is vouchsafed on his behalf by an associate who has confidence in his character and capacity.  Relying upon such evaluation, the brethren admit him to participation.  But as a Most Excellent Master, the candidate for the Royal Arch degree possesses the key to his advancement – he has the pass – he is confident of its efficacy, and his confidence is justified since it gains him exaltation.  Exaltation is not dependent upon the sponsorship of others, but springs from the individual merit of the candidate.  The key to his destiny is in his own hands and flows from his demonstrated character and personal achievements; these are attested in one word – “rabboni.”

(Reprinted from The Royal Arch Mason, Volume IX, Number 4, Winter 1967, pages 110 - 112)