The Hidden Spiritual Language of the Book of Exodus (PaRDeS) — Egypt to the Tabernacle

The four hidden layers of the stories in the Bible are revealed as a metaphor for the descent, trials, and purification of the human soul.

7 min readJan 4, 2024

Introduction

The concept of Pardes in Kabbalistic and Jewish thought offers a deeper framework for interpreting the Hebrew Bible through multiple layers of meaning, particularly the Books of the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Numbers).

This approach, deeply rooted in mystical traditions and in Judaism often attributed to the Kabbalist Moses DeLeon, aligns with the medieval Christian “fourfold” method of exegesis (the interpretation of scripture).

The idea is to explore the text at four levels (known as PaRDeS):

Peshat (simple or literal meaning),
Remez (hints or allegorical meaning),
Derash (interpretative meaning), and
Sod (secret or mystical meaning).

Hidden Meanings In The Stories Of The Old Testament: Simple Spiritual Summaries

The concept of Pardes in Kabbalistic and Jewish thought offers a deeper framework for interpreting the Hebrew Bible…

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The First Half of The Book of Exodus

When viewed through the lens of Pardes and as an allegory for the soul’s journey, the Book of Exodus offers a rich and multi-layered narrative.

This approach allows us to explore the spiritual dimensions of the text, revealing deeper meanings behind the historical and literal events described.

1. The Israelites’ Bondage in Egypt (Exodus 1–2)

Peshat: The Israelites are enslaved in Egypt, suffering under harsh conditions.
Remez: This enslavement can symbolize the soul’s entrapment in the material world, bound by physical limitations and suffering.
Derash: The narrative teaches about the endurance of the human spirit under oppression and the longing for freedom.
Sod: Mystically, Egypt represents a lower state of spiritual consciousness, where the soul is distant from its divine source and enmeshed in the darkness of just seeing only the material realm.

2. The Birth and Early Life of Moses (Exodus 2)

Peshat: Moses is born, saved from infanticide, and raised in Pharaoh’s household.
Remez: Moses’ journey can be seen as the awakening of spiritual leadership and divine calling within the soul. He represents a deep desire in the soul to align with and follow a path back to its Creator.
Derash: His life teaches about the unexpected ways in which divine providence can manifest. Faith can move mountains.
Sod: Mystically, Moses represents the aspect of the soul that seeks to return to its divine source, acting as a mediator between God and humanity. The Hebrew Gematria for Moses is 345, the number of the Pythagorean triangle used by early architects to construct the first complex buildings. In this sense, he is seen as a more stable foundation to reach for the heavens than the Tower of Babel.

3. The Burning Bush and Moses’ Mission (Exodus 3–4)

Peshat: Moses encounters God in the burning bush and is tasked with leading the Israelites out of Egypt.
Remez: The burning bush symbolizes the soul’s encounter with the divine, igniting a spiritual awakening. The fire represents the spiritual life that animates the plant's life as God animates his actions and guides Moses.
Derash: This story teaches about the reluctance and eventual acceptance of one’s divine mission.
Sod: Mystically, the burning bush represents the indestructible and eternal nature of the divine presence within the soul.

4. The Ten Plagues (Exodus 7–11)

Peshat: God inflicts ten plagues on Egypt to compel Pharaoh to free the Israelites.
Remez: The plagues can symbolize the struggles and challenges the soul faces on its path to liberation.
Derash: These events teach about the consequences of the hardness of the heart and the power of divine justice. The soul must get through this “hardness” to reach the divine “point” within the heart.
Sod: Mystically, the plagues represent the dismantling of false beliefs and the purification of the soul. They also emphasise the enormous struggle and suffering that must be experienced in this alchemical process.

5. The Exodus and Parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 12–14)

Peshat: The Israelites leave Egypt and miraculously cross the Red Sea, which parts for them and then closes behind them, destroying the pursuing Egyptians.
Remez: This escape symbolizes the soul’s liberation from the bondage of the material world.
Derash: The narrative teaches about the power of faith and divine intervention in moments of great need. If, at these times, faith and hope are maintained, this need is rewarded on Earth.
Sod: Mystically, the parting of the Red Sea represents the soul’s passage from a lower to a higher state of consciousness, overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

6. The Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19–20)

Peshat: God gives the Ten Commandments and other laws to the Israelites at Mount Sinai.
Remez: This event can symbolize the soul’s reception of divine wisdom and guidance. It tells us that if the innocent will is to give, as was the pure motive of Moses, then a divine equivalence meets this desire, and the giver becomes a divine flow of prophecy.
Derash: It teaches about the importance of moral and spiritual laws in guiding human conduct.
Sod: Mystically, Sinai represents the pinnacle of spiritual revelation, where the soul comes into direct contact with the divine will.

Conclusion

In Exodus, the journey of the Israelites from slavery to freedom mirrors the soul’s quest for spiritual liberation and enlightenment.

Moses’ leadership, the plagues, the exodus, and the revelation at Sinai each represent different stages and challenges in the soul’s journey.

Through the Pardes interpretation, Exodus transcends its historical narrative, offering profound insights into the nature of spiritual bondage and liberation, the role of divine providence, and the eternal quest for a deeper connection with the divine.

The Second Half of Exodus

Continuing through the Book of Exodus with the Pardes interpretation and viewing it as an allegory for the soul’s journey, we delve deeper into the latter chapters, which are rich in symbolism and spiritual lessons.

7. The Wilderness Journey and Manna from Heaven (Exodus 16)

Peshat: The Israelites, journeying through the wilderness, receive manna from heaven to sustain them.
Remez: The manna symbolizes spiritual nourishment and the sustenance that the soul receives from divine sources, especially when in a state of uncertainty or challenge and during times of spiritual preparation.
Derash: This narrative teaches about reliance on divine providence and the importance of faith in times of need.
Sod: Mystically, the manna represents the higher spiritual truths and insights that sustain the soul on its journey towards enlightenment.

8. The Water from the Rock (Exodus 17)

Peshat: Moses strikes a rock, and water flows out to quench the thirst of the Israelites.
Remez: The water from the rock can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual refreshment and rejuvenation the soul receives when it connects with its divine source.
Derash: This story teaches about the power of faith and the role of spiritual leaders in guiding and supporting their communities.
Sod: Mystically, the rock and the water symbolize the inexhaustible divine grace that is available to the soul, even in the most barren of spiritual deserts.

9. The Revelation of the Law (Exodus 20–23)

Peshat: The detailed laws given to the Israelites, covering various aspects of social, moral, and religious life.
Remez: These laws can symbolize the ethical and spiritual framework necessary for the soul’s development and purification.
Derash: The narrative teaches about the importance of a structured, moral life in maintaining a community and in personal spiritual growth.
Sod: Mystically, the laws represent the divine order and the principles that govern the spiritual universe, guiding the soul towards harmony and alignment with the divine will.

10. The Golden Calf and Moses’ Intercession (Exodus 32)

Peshat: While Moses is on Mount Sinai, the Israelites create and worship a golden calf, leading to divine wrath.
Remez: The golden calf represents the temptations of spiritual materialism and idolatry that can lead the soul astray.
Derash: This story teaches about the dangers of losing faith and the importance of steadfastness in spiritual commitment.
Sod: Mystically, the incident symbolizes the soul’s constant struggle against lower desires and the need for continual vigilance and repentance.

11. The Construction of the Tabernacle (Exodus 25–31, 35–40)

Peshat: Detailed instructions are given for building the Tabernacle, a portable dwelling place for God among the Israelites.
Remez: The Tabernacle symbolizes the soul’s need to create a sacred space for the divine presence within the material world.
Derash: This narrative teaches about the importance of beauty, order, and reverence in religious worship and practice.
Sod: Mystically, the Tabernacle represents the concept that the divine can dwell within the physical realm, and by extension, within each individual soul, sanctifying it.

Conclusion

The latter part of Exodus, through the Pardes interpretation, continues to illustrate the soul’s journey from bondage to spiritual liberation and enlightenment.

The challenges in the wilderness, the reception of divine laws, the pitfalls of idolatry, and the construction of the Tabernacle all serve as metaphors for the various stages of the soul’s evolution.

These narratives offer profound insights into the nature of faith, the importance of divine guidance, and the potential for the divine presence to be realized and manifested within the human experience.