Kabbalah
Question
Answer
Shalom,
The Torah encompasses four distinct levels of meaning known as peshat, remez, derash, and sod. Peshat represents the literal interpretation, the narrative as written. Remez and derash are methods by which the Torah hints at broader concepts not explicitly stated in the text, including the arrangement of verses and the use of unusual or repeated words. Sod is the concealed aspect of the Torah that delves into divine influences in the world and the operations of higher powers in the spiritual realm. These concepts are alluded to through parables and hidden meanings in the Torah.
The sod level of the Torah is also identified as Kabbalah, literally meaning 'tradition.' This implies that understanding kabbalistic concepts independently is impossible; they have to be received through tradition from one's teacher. The line of this tradition traces back to Moses.
