Pronounced as: Sode ( looong "o" sooo-de) [like "wood"]
Meaning - hidden
Sod is the fourth, last and deepest level of the PaRDeS interpretation. It unveils deeper meanings to words that are considered. This particular level requires the knowledge of Hebrew, Greek and Gematria of words.
SOD
Sod refers to the secret or hidden meaning of a text. It is the fourth level of the PaRDeS interpretation model, after Pashat, Remez, and Drash. It is best to say that the Sod is the beginning of proper Bible understanding, without which the others are incomplete.
Sod is the essence of the Bible and it reveals that which had been written in code. By definition, the Sod is the hidden or secret meaning of a text in the Bible. This hidden meaning is only available to those privileged to see and understand how the Bible relates and is relevant to us.
How is this? Well, the essence of the Bible is not just to read up stories and learn morals. It is written for us to relate with. We can only achieve and enjoy the essence of the book when we know very well how it applies and is relevant to us.
Therefore, understanding the Bible is not based on reading strings of words accurately crafted to make sense but to make do of the information provided in the book. The information is best utilized when we see its practicality, relevance and implication to us and our world, today.
So, in essence, knowing the Sod of a text is important and makes us understand it better.
Does this mean that the bible is made hidden from us?
An emphatic answer to this question is NO. However, it becomes hidden and mysterious when we do not know how it relates to us. If the thoughts which have been written down in the Bible serve as history only, it is inevitable to fall into error and the mistakes of the "Heroes" therein. Whereas, seeking to know the relevance of the text ensures that:
● We fully understand the text in all details
● We can interrogate the characters specifically and see why they thrived or failed
● We can direct our own lives to achieve greatness and live right
● Finally, we can weigh options, acknowledging right from wrong.
Aside from the joy that comes with knowing something new, there is a great sense of satisfaction when you unravel the mystery from the Bible. You move from fantasy or a state of uncertainty about your faith to a place of reality and assurance. In fact, you get to know yourself better when you see for yourself and acknowledge the things written about you in there. You can elude the dissatisfaction and deficiency that comes with missing out the relevance of a text in parts, portions or as a whole by seeking the Sod of that text when you read.
Now that we have understood that the sod of any text is the meaning and relevance of that text to our world and present day, we can go on to talk about the sod (hidden meaning) of all Bible text from start to finish. However, for the scope of this book, the sod of the Garden of Eden as recorded in the book of Genesis, will be extensively discussed.
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