PARSHAS LECH LECHA:
In Parshas Lech Lecha, a monumental meeting takes place between the two great individuals living at that time: Avraham and Malchi- Tzedek, whom Chazal identify as Shem, son of Noach. While their encounter is shrouded in mystery and metaphor, the Torah recounts that Malchi-Tzedek, upon meeting Avraham, “brought out bread and wine – and he [Malchi-Tzedek] was a priest to G-d, most Exalted. (14:18)”
What is the symbolic significance of the bread and wine that Malchi- Tzedek served?
Bread is only good when it’s fresh. But go to your local vintner, and ask him for a “good fresh bottle of wine,” and watch him cringe in utter distaste. Ask any Frenchman worth his baguette: A fresh-baked loaf of bread, and a chilled bottle of aged wine, these are the components of any gourmet meal. The fresher the bread, and the older the wine, the more the palate takes delight.
The Torah describes Avraham Avinu in his older years: “And Avraham was old – he had come with his days. (Bereishis 24:1)” This means that Avraham brought the days of his youth with him into his elder. Normally, youth carries with it the advantage of energy and enthusiasm. As one gets on in his years, he loses the vigour of his youth, but is graced with the wisdom and maturity that come with age. Rare is the individual who can retain the vitality of his youth even as the candles on his proverbial birthday cake fruitfully multiply.
Yet this was exactly what Avraham Avinu achieved. While by no means a youngster, he served Hashem with the freshness and enthusiasm usually reserved for those still wet behind the ears. As a tribute to this unique combination of youth and age, Malchi-Tzedek served bread and wine, two foods that possess the opposite qualities of freshness and maturity, yet together form a meal pleasing to even the most refined tastebuds.