Thin Ice

As a 5 year old , we moved from Staunton IL to Moosup CT. Behind the apartment complex where we lived was a large pond. It was a favorite play ground for all the kids during the winter. Being good Midwesterns, we knew a little about ice and the dangers that accompany it. However, little did we realize the life threatening conditions of it until a young boy drown that winter playing on the ice. The ice was just too thin.

While in seminary, the professors began to teach us about interpreting scripture. He said, "When you interpret Scripture always start out on the thick ice and then you can carefully move out onto the thinner ice. But the key is to always remember that you are on thinner ice. In other words the further out you go (thin ice) the more likely you are to have more of your own opinion in the mix.

When the Rabbis would study scripture this was similar to their methodology of interpretation. This is especially true when studying the parables. The word PARDES is often used to describe the four different approaches to understanding the Biblical text. (Jesus would have been familiar with this as He taught in parables.)

The first and most 'solid' interpretation is called the "Peshat" this is simply the 'plain' truth of the text. It means what it means.

Our next step is the "Remez." These are hints or deeper 'allegoric' meaning beyond the literal sense. In the story of the boy who cried wolf, the Remez meaning might be something like silence is better than speaking. Whereas the Peshat meaning might be lying always leads to trouble.

Our next step out on thinner ice is the "Derash." This is the meaning derived when comparing this story to similar stories. So in our story of the boy who cried wolf we could say that it is similar to the story of Little Red Riding Hood. Wolves are not to be trusted. Better to be cautious with wolves.

Finally the last interpretive part would be the "Sod" or the secret meaning. This is almost a mystical meaning. The wolf represents the Devil and sometimes you see him sometimes you don't.

Now the question for us is how far out in the interpretation can we go and be save, standing on the truth?

The Rules for Pardes:

1. Any interpretation cannot take away the Peshat meaning of the text.
2. Scripture can only be interpreted by Scripture.
3. Focus on the primary meanings of the story.

Scripture, especially the parables are filled with deep truths. We have to be caution enough to stay anchored on the solid ice while venturing out to learn more.

Thin Ice