In Summary:
The 23rd degree of the Scottish rite is known as the “Chief of the Tabernacle.” This degree is connected to the concept of private worship, also known as “Mysteries,” which were typically only accessible to those who had undergone certain initiation ceremonies as well as ancient worship. The general theme of this degree teaches the importance of private worship and the idea of ancient religious practices. It also explores the symbolic nature of the tabernacle as a structure representing the presence of God.

Initial Note:
This degree teaches that the man who forgets his duty to God, family, country, and himself will be in danger of moral and spiritual destruction by thoughts of unworthy ambition.

Regalia Notes:
The apron is white, lined with scarlet, and bordered with red, blue, and purple ribbons. In the middle is a painted or embroidered golden candelabrum with seven lights. Josephus, the great Jewish historian, is the source of the design of the apron.

He defines the symbolism of the colors as follows: white, the earth, from which the flax used in fine linen is grown; red – fire, from its color; blue – the sky, for the same reason; and purple – the sea, for it derives from a sea mollusk. But to us there are

deeper meanings: white – the infinite beneficence of God; blue – His profound and perfect wisdom; red – His glory; and purple – His power.

The candelabrum symbolizes to us, as to the ancients, the seven planets: the sun, the moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

It also represents the seven archangels and seven of the ten manifestations of Deity; specifically, the seven Sephiroth which follow Will, Wisdom, and Understanding: Justice, Mercy, Beauty, Glory, Victory, Dominion, and Kingdom.

A red leather belt is also worn, fringed along the lower edge with gold, from which hangs the jewel.

The jewel is a small silver censer, or ornamental cup, with a long handle; the end serves as a stand for the cup and is shaped like an open hand.

It should remind us to offer up unceasingly to God the incense of good deeds and charitable actions dictated by a pure and upright heart.

Duties are:
• Be devoted to the service of God. Constantly endeavor to promote the welfare of man. Act with proper subordination to your superiors.

For Reflection:
• What is the nature of God?

Lessons:
• Simple faith is wiser than vain philosophy. A society’s concept of the Deity and the universe are consistent with its development.

Important Symbols:
• The standards of the twelve tribes of Israel, darkness, light, the colors: scarlet, white, and purple.

---

Additional Notes:
Here we begin the symbolic initiations into the mysteries practiced by the ancients from whom Masonry has obtained her great truths. Pike tells us:

“The instruction now conveyed by books and letters was of old conveyed by symbols; and the priest had to invent or to perpetuate a display of rites and exhibitions, which were not only more attractive to the eye than words but often to the mind more suggestive and pregnant with meaning.”

In the set, we find testimony to this practice and the source for its design. The ritual describes in great detail the tabernacle and surrounding court of Moses found in Chapters 26 to 36 of Exodus. The set and its symbols are elaborate to help us understand these ancient teachings.

Sources:
Purchase ‘A Bridge To Light‘ by Rex R. Hutchens
Purchase ‘Morals & Dogma‘ by Albert Pike.