The Scholar and the Merchants
In this short story, we're given a glimpse at the multi-dimensional way one may read the Biblical texts through the system of Pardes. See how a story functions on a simple level while simultaneously concealing a higher truth.
There was a ship filled with merchants sailing to a far away place. Each merchant had a special prized good of which they were bringing with them. Each was proud of their item and began to brag about what they brought. They all spoke of their plans to sell the item and become rich.
The first merchant spoke of his exotic perfumes, the second spoke of his rare scarves.
The second merchant spoke of his priceless jewels.
There happened to be a Torah scholar sitting quietly next to the merchants. He appeared to have nothing of value with him. They asked him, “what are you selling?”. He said, "I don’t have anything". The merchants began to laugh and gave him a look of condescension.
The next morning they were abruptly woken up when pirates boarded the ship and systematically went through each cabin robbing the passengers of their possessions. Each of the merchants were left empty-handed, and they were were devastated. The merchants lost everything, and what made matters worse, no one was interested in talking to them when they got off of the ship as they had nothing to sell and no money left to find a home.
The Torah scholar, on the other hand, was received with open arms by a small crowd awaiting his arrival. Known for his knowledge and wisdom, he was invited to dinner and treated with the utmost respect. All evening his guests asked him question after question, each time his crowd growing. Soon the townspeople asked him to remain with them as their Rabbi, and he accepted.
This story can be read on a few levels and thus will make a great way to understand how to view Biblical texts and parables in a similar fashion through the Pardes system.
On a simple level, this is a lesson about how we spend our time on the day-to-day, causing us to evaluate what is of value in this world. What motivates us, or what is it that we seek most, perishable or the imperishable?
On a deeper level, the mystical tradition often uses the imagery of a ship to represent the body and the sea as [life on] earth¹.
At this level, the lesson is scaled up to represent the life work of the soul. After spending a lifetime acquiring and applying wisdom, battling the evil inclination², and enduring trials - the soul is greeted warmly when it reaches the port.
A similar story is taught in the New Testament about "storing up treasures in heaven". In this, we are taught to keep an eye on the bigger picture in life.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. - Matthew 6:19-20
Many of the stories in rabbinic literature are intended to be read on multiple levels. The same is true when reading the New Testament. When we encounter a story, often known as midrash or Aggada, try to look beyond the simple terms and understand the deeper application.
Notes:
¹ This same idea can be found in the Zohar 2:199a as it renders Jonah in a similar fashion. For more on the metaphor of 'the sea', read: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/casting-their-nets/
