Melchi Zedek

Question

Dear Rabbi,

In Jewish mysticism we know very little about Melchizedek. This name appears just once in the Talmud, and few times in Zohar, and these books do not describe who he is. Do you know something else about him, and his role in Judaism?

Answer

Melchi Zedek is mentioned twice in the Bible -- in Genesis 14:18 and in Psalm 110:4. Genesis records that Melchi Zedek, was both king of Shalem and a priest. After Abraham's victory in the war with the kings, Melchi Zedek comes to bless Abraham and offer him bread and wine. Abraham gives him a tithe offering. The midrash says that Melchi Zedek is Shem (the son of Noach) and that he was king in Jerusalem (Shalem). According to the midrash, God wanted to give the priesthood to Shem and his sons, but because he blessed Abraham before blessing God, the priesthood was given to Avraham, and his children. According to the midrash, this is the meaning of the psalm (110) words "You are priest forever" (ata cohen l'Olam). This midrash is in B. Talmud Nedarim 32b and in several other midrashic sources such as Bereshit Rabba parasha 43 and parasha 56, Vayikra Rabba parasha 25.

Gmar Hatima Tova,

Rabbi Monique Susskind Goldberg
September 2006