"Message: 8
Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2004 08:22:53 -0500
Subject: Re: Mashiach ben Joseph

In a message dated 2/10/2004 5:55:10 AM Eastern Standard Time,
athol writes:

> There are five levels of Torah. Judaisim only uses four - the fifth is
> the interpretation of Torah by the Messiah of the hidden mysteries.

The four levels used in Judaism are called Pardes:

[P]ashat (Heb. "simple")
[R]emez (Heb. "hint")
[D]rash (Heb. "search")
[S]od (Heb. "hidden")

The Pashat is the literal meaning.
Remez is the implied meaning of the text.
Drash is the allegorical, typological, or homiletical application of the
text. Sod is the hidden, secret or mystic meaning of a text.

This is VERY similar to the medieval Quadriga - the four fold method of
exegesis used in the Patristic and Middle Ages:

Literal
Analogical
Anagogical
Prophetic

Art
Omnes semper - ad Jesum, per Mariam, cum Petro!"

Isn't that coolness. Apparently there's a fifth messianic meaning to the Torah too. Though I have sort of heard that one before.