PARDES is a Hebrew acronym from the Kabbalah. It represents the four levels of understanding or interpretation of the bible. PARDES is where we have received the word “paradise” from. The acronym PARDES comes from the Hebrew words Pashut, Remez, Drash, and Sod. Each word represents a level of understanding or depth in reading and understanding of God’s word.

Pashut is the first and most basic level of understanding. Pashut means “simple”, it is the literal understanding of Torah; it requires no interpretation. The word of God can be accepted at face value on this level of understanding. This level of understanding asks, “What does Torah require of me?”

For example, when the scripture commands that we should not murder, there is no deeper understanding required to understand what that means. There is nothing hidden to the reader. The reader of that word can simply read, understand, and apply it to his life. No further meditation or research is required. Pashut is for everyone, it is for the common people such as farmers, herders, and fishermen.

Pashut relates to the seven laws of Rabbi Hillel, the teacher of Yeshua (Jesus). Rabbi Hillel dealt with the simple but necessary things such as hygiene, household affairs, cleanliness, etc. It is from Pashut that the Mishna comes. The Mishna which is secondary to Torah has six volumes which are the Zarim, Moed, Nashim, Nezikim, Kodashim, and Tahorot.

Remez is the second level of understanding. It means “hint”, it is the implied level of understanding. This is the level of hermeneutics, or speaking by the spirit of the word. Remez is not in the hands of the common people. Instead it lies in the hands of the judges and those who dispense justice.

This level is related to the thirteen laws of Rabbi Ishmael who wrote for the elite- doctors, lawyers, etc. The laws of Rabbi Ishmael are allegorical and they created the Gamora which means “ending”. It is the Mishna and the Gemara that were combined to create the Jerusalem Talmud.

Drash is the third level of understanding. Drash means to “to dig” or “to inquire”. Drash is to assume there is more, its impetus is to turn loose the scriptures; it demands more from the scripture. It forces scripture to interpret other scriptures and shakes loose those things that are not relevant.

Drash is represented by the thirty-two laws of Eleazer Ben Galle which produced the Midrash. The commentary is allegorical and contains hidden things. It is the “kingly law”.

Sod is the fourth level of understanding which means “secret”. This level represents the secret understanding of God. This level has been populated by many kabbalists. Kabbalah comes from “kibble” which means “to receive”. This level is represented by the forty-two laws of Rabbi Yosef Caro which created the Zohar.

By Rabbi Isaac Levy