Thus, the first lesson relates to the importance of accepting responsibility for one's own actions. Therefore, the journey for which the Chamber of Reflection prepares the candidate is the journey toward better living, not salvation which can only come by the grace of God - never by man's own works and deeds. Freemasonry instructs upon how a life should be lived - how the "works" of one human life actually reflect upon the "faith" that one holds. Rather, religions variously teach that lesson. It is essential for the candidate to understand that Masonry does not teach that good works achieves salvation of the spirit and soul. That same source goes on to describe tolerance as a word most people would rather avoid using a word that is evidently universally disliked, because it starkly challenges us to understand that it means much more than merely accepting differing opinions. Wikipedia, an Internet dictionary, suggests that the word tolerance is a recent political term used as an antithesis to the word discrimination. People are responsible for making matters better or worse depending upon how they conduct themselves. The first lesson to be learned is that nothing is intrinsically good or bad. Masonry has adopted portions of this ancient Jewish custom regarding the preparation of the candidate for entry into a lodge. For Masons, the time passed in the Chamber of Reflection symbolizes the trials of life.
The Talmud dictated the following requirements: "No man shall go into the Temple with his staff or with his shoes on his feet, or with his outer garment, or with money tied up in his purse." According to Jewish literature and traditions, great care was taken of the personal condition of every Israelite who entered the Temple for Divine worship.
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