Pardes (פרדס) is the Hebrew word for Paradise. In addition, early rabbinic tradition uses the word as an acronym of the four ways of interpreting scripture. These four ways are: 1. * Peshat (פשט) — the simple or superficial understanding of the text. 2. * Remez (רמז) — making connexions between this text and others that explicate its meaning. 3. * Derash (דרש) — the binding interpretation of the text: what I must do to fulfil this commandment. 4. * Sôd (סוד) — the mystical interpretation of the text.