Masonic Shoe Cigar Cutter
Smaller
cigars are called cigarillos or stilettos, and became popular in mid 19th
century Europe before evolving into what is called a cigarette today. Cigarillos
had no filter and rolled so that the mouth end had a torpedo taper like some
cigars still have today. The above device was engineered to cut off the
tapered end.
Among the ancient Israelites, the shoe was
made use of in several significant ways. To put off the shoes, imported
reverence, and was done in the presence of God, or on entering the dwelling of a
superior. To unloose one's shoe and give it to another was a way of
confirming a contract. Thus we read in the book of Ruth, that Boaz having
proposed to the nearest kinsman of Ruth to exercise his legal right by redeeming
the land of Naomi, which was offered for sale, and marrying her daughter-in-law,
the kinsman, being able to do so, resigned his right of purchase to Boaz; and
the narrative goes on to say (Ruth iv, 7 and 8), "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 neighbor; and
this was a testimony in Israel. Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it
for thee. So he drew off his shoe." The reference to the shoe in the First
Degree is therefore really as a symbol of a Covenant to be entered into. In
the Third Degree the symbolism is altogether different. This this degree the
ceremony of taking off the shoes, as a token of respect, whenever we are on or
about to approach holy ground. It is referred to in Exodus (iii, 5), where the
angel of the Lord, at the burning bush, exclaims to Moses: "Draw not nigh
hither; put off they shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou
standest is holy ground." The Rite, in fact, always was, and still is, used
among the Jews and other Islamic and Oriental nations when entering their
Temples, Mosques and other sacred edifices. It does not seem to have been
derived from the command given to Moses; but rather to have existed as a
religious custom from time immemorial, and to have been borrowed by the
Gentiles, through tradition, from the patriarchs. The direction of Pythagoras
to his disciples was, "Offer sacrifice and worship with thy shoes off."
