Four Dimension-Pardes

Transparent Garment of Torah

Torah, as Divine wisdom, is the single most overt expression of G-dly energy in the world. But, even Torah, in order for it to be understood by us, has to be “dressed” in garments that make it closer to our finite human mind. The teachings of Kabbalah, we shall see, represent the most subtle and “transparent” garment of Torah, through which most of the G-dly light can escape.

Indeed, we are told that Torah can be divided into four levels of interpretation. This does not simply mean that every sentence of Torah has four possible meanings. In actuality it is known that Torah has as many meanings as there are root souls of the Jewish people – 600,000! Moreover, within each of the four levels that we mentioned there are 600,000 interpretations – giving us a grand total of 2,400,000 possible interpretations to every aspect of Torah!

We are speaking of four dimensions of interpretation; four distinct classes, each with their own rules as to how they should be used. These four are said to correspond to the four worlds, which, in turn, are connected to the four letters of G-d’s name. These four levels are known by their acronym: Pardes.

Entering the Orchard

As we have noted in an earlier chapter (in Part one of the series), there were four sages who entered a Pardes (orchard). When they left, three of them were adversely affected. One died, one became mentally deranged, one became a heretic and only one entered in peace and left in peace. This orchard has been interpreted as a metaphor for the probing into the Divine secrets of the Torah.

Why did our sages use the metaphor of an orchard?

One simple explanation is that in Biblical and Talmudic imagery, an orchard with its tree bearing fruits symbolizes the extra legal aspects of Judaism. An orchard produces delightful fruits that titillate the palate and are not intended for nutritional purposes.

So too the teachings of Kabbalah are not the staple of our Jewish diet. The staple of Judaism, the bread and meat, the main course are the teachings of Jewish law.

Kabbalah is the desert that is intended for maximizing our spiritual pleasure and bliss, by enabling us to scale greater spiritual heights.

But, there is another reason given for the use of the simile of an orchard. The Hebrew word Pardes (which is likely to be the source of the English word for Paradise) is actually an acronym for the four levels of Torah interpretation: P’shat, Remez, Drush and Sod.

To enter into the Pardes means that one has plumbed the depth of Torah and has uncovered all its layers of meaning including the one that is most elusive-the mystical dimension.

From the book Safe Kabbalah, Part Two: The Fourth Dimension by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.