A lawyer once approached Jesus with a question and, in typical fashion, Jesus responded to that question with more questions:
“What is written in the law? How do you read it?”
These two questions are helpful for us as we think about Scripture. It is not only important to discover what a biblical text says. We must also be mindful about how we’re reading it.
What happens when we read a biblical text with narrow minds and pre-determined assumptions, disconnected from our own personal experiences? What if, instead, we bring our wrestling, our questions, and our discoveries, all connected to our actual life?
At 40 Orchards, we engage with Scripture through the practice of midrash.
What is midrash?
Midrash is a Jewish way of engaging with scripture that began in the ancient world and continues today. The early rabbis felt free to ask questions about narratives of the biblical text, not only in the words written, but also in between and beyond it, in a spirit of discovery.
Over time, one way of practicing midrash that began to surface was examining the biblical text with four layers of questions.
As an acronym, the 4 levels of midrash form the Hebrew word pardes, which means orchard.
Midrash is not a formula, but it can be a guide. It is fruitful and expansive. We use the simple meaning to ground us, while seeking to stretch past what we see at first glance. We open to the mystery and possibilities, and invite our perspectives to be part of the conversation.