study can proceed along four levels of interpretation ( exegesis ). [2] [3] These four levels are called Pardes because their initial letters spell " PaRDeS " ("Orchard"): Peshat (lit. "simple"): the direct interpretations of meaning. Remez (lit. "hint[s]"): the allegoric meanings (through allusion). Derash (from Heb. darash : "inquire" or