Righteous Priest

According to Simeon Hasida, Zechariah's Four Craftsmen are Messiah ben David, Messiah ben Joseph, Elijah and the Righteous Priest. In the oldest full manuscript of the Talmud dating from 1342, known as the Munich Talmud,{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=hKAaJXvUaUoC&q=Munich+Talmud+1342&pg=PA609 | title = The Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion | author= Adele Berlin |publisher = Oxford University Press | page = 609 |year = 2011| isbn = 978-0-19-973004-9 | access-date= 13 February 2014}} the Righteous Priest is referred to as Melchizedek.{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=H23hArqmJsQC&q=post+bethar | title = The Review of Rabbinic Judaism: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern|editor= Alan J. Avery-Peck |publisher = Martinus Nijhoff Publishers| year = 2005 | isbn = 90-04-14484-6| access-date= 20 January 2014}}{{rp| 85}} In his commentary on the Talmud, Rashi says the Shem/Melchizedek is called a craftsman because he helped his father build the ark and taught Abraham.{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=PfR8UTmJc48C&q=Four+Craftsmen+talmud&pg=PA43| title = Talmud with Training Wheels: Meet the Evil Urge: Sukkah 51b-53b| author= Joel Lurie Grishaver |publisher = Torah Aura Productions| page = 43 |year = 2007| isbn = 978-1-891662-58-4| access-date= 10 February 2014}}

In 1280, following the Disputation of Barcelona, the Roman Catholic Church forced Jews to censor parts of the Talmud that were theologically problematic.{{cite EJ |url = http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=RELEVANCE&inPS=true&prodId=GVRL&userGroupName=imcpl1111&tabID=T003&searchId=R1&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&contentSegment=&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm¤tPosition=1&contentSet=GALE%7CCX2587502023&&docId=GALE | title=Barcelona, Disputation of |volume=3 | page= 146 | access-date= 19 February 2014}} The Talmud was censored again in 1564 following the invention of the printing press. Numerous times between 1239 and 1775, all copies of the Talmud were ordered destroyed; few survived.{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=bunHURgi7FcC&q=talmud+censorship&pg=PA110| title = Encyclopedia of Censorship|author=Jonathon Green |author2=Nicholas J. Karolides |publisher = Infobase Publishing| page = 110 |year = 2009| isbn = 978-1-4381-1001-1| access-date= 13 February 2014}}

According to the Avot of Rabbi Natan on Gen. i 27, Adam was born circumcised because he was created in the image of God.{{cite book | last=Thiessen | first=M. | title=Contesting Conversion: Genealogy, Circumcision, and Identity in Ancient Judaism and Christianity | publisher=Oxford University Press | year=2011 | isbn=978-0-19-979367-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ebpoAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA74 | access-date=2023-11-10 | page=74}} While they were in Egypt, the children of Israel were not circumcised because they wished to follow the customs of the Egyptians.{{efn|Exod Rabbah 1}}{{cite book |url = https://archive.org/details/biblicalhistoric00bloc |url-access = registration |quote = circumcision jewish priesthood. | title = The Biblical and Historical Background of Jewish Customs and Ceremonies| author = Abraham P. Bloch |publisher = KTAV Publishing House, Inc| page = [https://archive.org/details/biblicalhistoric00bloc/page/8 8] |year = 1980|isbn = 978-0-87068-658-0 | access-date= 10 September 2014}} The Israelites lived in Egypt for 210 years.{{cite web| author = Chani Benjaminson|title=How many years did the Jews spend in Egypt?| url = http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/617888/jewish/How-many-years-did-the-Jews-spend-in-Egypt.htm|access-date= 10 September 2014}} According to Midrash Rabbah LVII. 4, Satan denounced Israel when they were in Egypt. Generally this is interpreted as happening after Joseph died and was because they stopped practicing circumcision.{{cite book |url = https://archive.org/stream/RabbaGenesis/midrashrabbahgen027557mbp#page/n553/mode/2up/search/LVII | title = Midrash Rabbah | author = Rabbi Dr. H. Freedman and Maurice Simon |publisher = The Soncino Press | page = 506 |year = 1939| access-date= 10 September 2014}} However the priestly tribe of Levi practiced circumcision in Egypt.{{efn|Exod Rabbah 19}} Entry into the land of Israel required the circumcision of all the tribes.{{efn|Gen. Rabbah 46}}

Noah, the second Adam, was also born circumcised.{{efn|Midr. Agadah on Gen. vi. 9; Tan., Noaḥ, 6}} Noah's son Shem likewise was born circumcised. Although Shem is unanimously declared by the Rabbis to have been the youngest son of Noah (a view most biblical scholars disagree with),{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}} he is always named first, being the most important of the three brothers. He was the ancestor of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; he was also a priest, a prophet, and one of the eight righteous mentioned twice in Genesis xi 10;{{efn|Gen. xi. 10}} they were allotted a portion both in this world and in the world to come.{{efn|Sanh. 69b; Tan., Yelammedenu, Noaḥ; Midr. ha-Gadol on Gen. ix. 18, xi. 10, ed. Schechter, cols. 142, 186}} Shem is styled "the great one"{{efn|"Shem rabba"; Sanh. 108b}} According to Genesis R. xxx. 6, it was Shem who offered the sacrifices on the altar after Noah came out of the ark, {{efn|comp. Gen. viii. 20}} because Noah, having been crippled by a lion, was unfit for the priestly office. Noah gave the priestly garments, which he had inherited from Adam, to Shem.{{efn|Num. R. iv. 6}} Shem is extolled by the Rabbis for his filial devotion in covering his father's nakedness.{{efn|Gen. ix. 23}} Although his brother Japheth helped in this act, Shem suggested and began it; his brother did not arrive on the scene until Shem was already on his way with the garment. Noah, in blessing these two sons{{efn|Gen. ix. 26}} said, "blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem", giving special significance to Shem because Shem would be the forefather of the Jewish people.{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=B2CA0hFHHpMC&q=shem+noah+torah&pg=PA53| title = Onkelos on the Torah: Be-reshit |editor1= Israel Drazin |editor2=Stanley M. Wagner |publisher = Gefen Publishing House Ltd| page = 53 |year = 2006| isbn = 978-965-229-342-8 | access-date= 13 February 2014}}

Melchizedek occupied an important place in ancient Judaism. In one of the Dead Sea scrolls 11Q13, he is presented as a semi-divine being. Josephus referred to Melchizedek as the first priest and as a Canaanite chief. Many scholars{{Who?|date=April 2021}} now believe that Israelite beliefs were an evolution of Canaanite beliefs.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}} In Samaritan tradition, Melchizedek's city was near the temple on Mount Gerizim. Josephus followed the Jewish tradition and linked Salem with Jerusalem and Mount Zion.{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=eXM1YwCGipMC&q=Melchizedek+semi+divine&pg=PA182| title = Biblical Figures Outside the Bible|editor1= Michael E. Stone |editor2=Theodore A. Bergren | publisher = Continuum| pages = 182–185 |year = 2002| isbn = 978-1-56338-411-0| access-date= 13 February 2014}}

The name Melchizedek translates as "king of righteousness". He also had priestly duties. Based on biblical life spans in the Masoretic text, Shem would have still been alive during Abraham's lifetime. The identification of Shem as Melchizedek is found in the Talmud, Targumim and Midrashim. Many Christian sources have said Shem was associated with Melchizedek for anti-Christian reasons {{dubious|date=September 2017}}{{Citation needed|reason=Which sources? |date=September 2017}}. He was probably already associated with priesthood—if not Melchizedek—in pre-rabbinic times. Targums Targum Neofiti, Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Targum Fragment P, Targum Fragment V all identify Shem as Melchizedek. The Book of Jubilees also says Shem was linked with priesthood. Similarly, Philo's writings exalt Shem. None of these documents contain antichristian polemics.{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=J22LA0wJcFQC&q=shem+Targum+Neofiti&pg=PA7| title = Targums and the Transmission of Scripture Into Judaism and Christianity| author= Robert Hayward| publisher = Brill| pages = 6–16 |year = 2010| isbn = 978-90-04-17956-1| access-date= 13 February 2014}}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NlF20-v3QfYC&q=righteous+priest+shem&pg=PA75| title = Targumic and Cognate Studies: Essays in Honour of Martin McNamara|editor1= Kevin J. Cathcart |editor2=Michael Maher |editor3=Martin McNamara| publisher = Continuum| pages = 72–80|year = 1996| isbn = 978-0-567-64694-1| access-date= 15 February 2014}}

It is not known when Shem became associated with Melchizedek.{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=7YRFizhgCokC&q=Righteous+Priest+shem&pg=PA202| title = The Book of Genesis in Late Antiquity: Encounters between Jewish and Christian Exegesis|author=Emmanouela Grypeou |author2=Helen Spurling | publisher = Brill| pages = 200–205|year = 2013| isbn = 978-90-04-24555-6| access-date= 15 February 2014}}{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=H-lrSnE8RvUC&q=shem+Melchizedek&pg=PA249| title = The Genesis Apocryphon of Qumran Cave 1 (1Q20): A Commentary| author= Joseph A. Fitzmyer| publisher = Gregorian Biblical BookShop| page = 45 |year = 2004| isbn = 978-88-7653-318-1| access-date= 13 February 2014}} By the fourth century CE, the identification of Shem with Melchizedek was well established. This was not limited to Jewish sources; Ephrem the Syrian also identifies Melchizedek as Shem.{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ZI3KLl9SLfIC&q=shem+Melchizedek+Targum+Neofiti&pg=PA223| title = Catholic for a Reason: Scripture and the Mystery of the Family of God|editor1= Scott Hahn |editor2=Leon J. Suprenant| publisher = Emmaus Road Publishing| page = 223 |year = 1998| isbn = 978-0-9663223-0-9| access-date= 13 February 2014}}

• The poly-messianic Testimonia text 4Q175 presents a prophet similar to Moses, a messianic figure and a priestly teacher. It is dated to the early 1st century BCE.{{rp| 89}}
• 1QS lists a Messiah of Israel, a prophet and a priestly Messiah of Aaron.{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=DpqhF3dbL8YC&q=1QS+Aaron&pg=PA212 | title = Flores Florentino: Dead Sea Scrolls and Other Early Jewish Studies in Honour of Florentino García Martínez |editor1= Anthony Hilhorst |editor2=Émile Puech |editor3=Eibert J. C. Tigchelaar |publisher = Brill | page = 212| year = 2007 | isbn = 978-90-04-16292-1 | access-date= 26 February 2014}} 1QS dates from around 100 BCE.{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=c4caDIt2CnUC&q=1qs+date&pg=PA53| title = The Dead Sea Scrolls, Volume 1 | author= James H. Charlesworth |publisher = Westminster John Knox Press| page = 53| year = 1994 | isbn = 978-3-16-146199-6 | access-date= 26 February 2014}}
• Babylonian Talmud Sukkah 52b presents the Four Craftsmen. Each may have a role to play in the ushering in the messianic age they are listed as Elijah, Messiah ben David, Righteous Priest and Messiah ben Joseph.{{rp| 84}}
• Pesikta de-Rav Kahana 5.9 here the four craftsmen are listed as Elijah, the King Messiah, Melchizedek and the Anointed for War.{{rp| 86}}
• Avot of Rabbi Natan states that Messiah ben David is more beloved then the Priest of Righteousness it cites Psalm 110 linking the Priest of Righteousness with Melchizedek.{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=3YH99skQxGIC&q=Song+of+Songs+Rabbah+messiah+Elijah+war&pg=PA138 | page = 138|title = From Martyr to Mystic: Rabbinic Martyrology and the Making of Merkavah Mysticism| author= Raʻanan S. Boustan| publisher =Mohr Siebeck| year = 2005| isbn = 978-3-16-148753-8| access-date = 20 February 2014}}
• Song of Songs Rabbah also lists the four craftsmen. Here they are listed as Elijah, the King Messiah, Melchizedek and the Anointed for War.{{rp| 86}}
• Pesikta Rabbati 15.14/15 likewise the four craftsmen are listed as Elijah, the King Messiah, Melchizedek and the Anointed for War.{{rp| 86}}
• In Tanna Devei Eliyahu the four craftsmen are listed the same as in the Talmud as Elijah, Messiah ben David, Righteous Priest and Messiah ben Joseph.{{rp| 86}}
• Rashi referred to the Righteous Priest as Shem/Melchizedek in his commentary on the Talmud.
• Numbers Rabbah 14.1 here the Righteous Priest has been replaced. The four craftsmen are listed as Elijah, Redeemer from David, War Messiah from Ephraim, Messiah from Manasseh.{{rp| 86}}
• Yalkut Shimoni 569 lists the four craftsmen as Elijah, Messiah ben David, Righteous Priest and Messiah ben Joseph.{{rp| 86}}
• Melchizedek takes the place of the Righteous Priest in the Munich Talmud.{{rp| 85}} The oldest full manuscript of the Talmud dating from 1342.

In Judaism, Shem and Melchizedek are one and the same. Shem plays an important role throughout Jewish literature beyond the role of the Righteous Priest. He is especially prominent in Kabbalah.{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=OSYyAQAAQBAJ&q=shem&pg=PA158| title = Knowledge of God and the Development of Early Kabbalah| author= Jonathan Dauber| publisher = Brill| page = 158|year = 2012| isbn = 978-90-04-23427-7| access-date= 13 February 2014}}

{{Hatnote| See also: Jewish mysticism for a timeline}}

Abraham Abulafia was the founder of Ecstatic Kabbalah. He identified Jesus as the Messiah ben Joseph, referring to him as "the sixth day" and as Satan.{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=tPceyLs6VOEC&q=Messiah+ben+Joseph+&pg=PA96| title = Messianic Mystics | author= Moshe Idel| publisher =Yale University Press| year = 2000| isbn = 0-300-08288-6 | access-date = 20 February 2014}}{{rp|123}}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RKVE-dtZG8sC&q=abraham+abulafia+messiah+ben+joseph&pg=PA208 | title = The Serpent Kills Or the Serpent Gives Life: The Kabbalist Abraham Abulafia's Response to Christianity |author=Robert Sagerman |publisher =Brill| year = 2011| isbn = 978-90-04-19446-5 | access-date = 3 March 2014}}{{rp|208}}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wsHuGK78vUkC&q=Messiah| title = Ambivalence Toward Christianity in the Kabbalah of Abraham Abulafia| author= Robert Sagerman| page =283| year = 2008| isbn = 978-0-549-74928-8| access-date = 20 February 2014}} Abulafia linked Jesus with the month of Tammuz, the month of the sin of the golden calf.{{rp|123}}{{rp|206 }} Abulafia referred to himself as "the seventh day" and the true Messiah ben David. He claimed to be both the Messiah ben David and a Kohen like Melchizedek. He supported this by claiming his father was of Judah, his mother of Levi, and his wife of the Kohen.{{rp|94–96}} He also identified himself as the priestly angel Metatron.{{rp|208}}

In Lurianic Kabbalah, Adam incorporated all souls; it is possible for different soul-sections to be given to different people.{{cite web |title= Moses our Teacher: Gate of Reincarnations: Gate of Reincarnations: Chapter Thirty-four, Section 1 | url = http://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/1653265/jewish/Moses-our-Teacher-341.htm | access-date= 21 February 2014 | author=Yitzchak Luria}} In addition, multiple people can share the same soul root.{{cite web |title= Soul Splits: Gate of Reincarnations - Chapter Fourteen| url =http://www.kabbalaonline.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/1277450/jewish/Soul-Splits-14.htm| access-date= 21 February 2014 | author=Yitzchak Luria}} In the Kabbalistic understanding, the Righteous Priest would be reincarnated as Abel, Seth, Noah, and Shem.{{cite web |title= Abel's Nefesh, Ruach, and Neshama: Gate of Reincarnations: Chapter Twenty-Nine, Section 2b| url =http://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/1520803/jewish/Abels-Nefesh-Ruach-and-Neshama-292b.htm| access-date= 20 February 2014 | author=Yitzchak Luria}} Moses like Adam also incorporated all souls. Messiah ben Joseph was incarnated as Cain; he was also reincarnated as Jacob's son Joseph and Jeroboam. Messiah ben David was incarnated as Abel and David.{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=khcJwdVE4EUC&q=isaac+luria+messiah+ben+joseph&pg=PA191| title = Tormented Master: A Life of Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav| author= Arthur Green| publisher =University of Alabama Press|year = 1979| isbn = 978-0-8173-6907-1| access-date = 20 February 2014}}{{rp|197}}

• Teacher of Righteousness
• Tzadik
• Melchizedek priesthood
• Messiah ben Joseph

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha|35em}}

{{reflist|35em}}

• {{JewishEncyclopedia}} This article is an evolution of the [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/13541-shem corresponding article on Shem]
• {{JewishEncyclopedia}} This article is an evolution of the [http://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/11571-noah corresponding article on Noah]

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Category:Jewish eschatology

Category:Jewish messianism

Category:Hebrew Bible words and phrases

Category:Melchizedek

Category:Kabbalah