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Conservative Judaism/Melchizedek
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Question
Sir,
What is your take on: "Melchizedek"? Who/what is he...for what purpose?
Dear Nerol,
Thanks for writing. Please forgive the delay in answering; I was needed to help with a death in the family out of town.
Melchizedek is a "righteous king" in Genesis 14:18ff, a king of Salem, the location of Jerusalem and a priest.
In Jewish literature he is identified with Shem or a descendent of Shem. He blessed Abraham for doing battle and God for haivng assisted him, and Abraham gave him a tithe as a righteous priest.
The name occurs again in the book of Psalms 110:4, and it is used in later literature - Dead Sea Scrolls, apocalyptic and Christian. However, for Jews i means on the King of Salem.
Best wishes
Rabbi Dov
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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner
Expertise
Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.
Experience
I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)
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