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.
Midrash: Four Layers of Questions
The first layer is peshat פְּשָׁט.
Peshat is the Hebrew word for surface, plain, or simple. It is the straightforward details of a verse, like the names, places, events, and chronology.
The second layer is remez רֶמֶז.
Remez is the Hebrew word for hint. It goes beyond the surface, and looks for connections between passages. This layer also opens to possible allegory or metaphors as it makes those connections.
The third layer is darash דְּרַשׁ.
Darash is the Hebrew word for seek or inquire. It is where the term midrash comes from. This layer goes past what is immediately apparent. It wonders about why things are happening. It wants to examine what is not being said along with what is told. Darash seeks to fill in options for what appears to be missing in order to find deeper meaning.
The fourth layer is sod סוֹד.
Sod is the Hebrew word for secret or mystery. It allows for more hidden meanings, such mystical understandings of Hebrew numbers.
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.