196 Lik k u tei D ibburim bilitates the body with all its component materials. A well- known instance of this process of Tikkun is the perspiration produced by the energetic pursuit of study or a requiring physical exertion. Now, it will be noted that when pairing up the four ap­ proaches in with the Four Worlds, Etz Chayim relates remez to the World of and derash to the World of Beriah, whereas Mishnas Chassidim relates derash to the World of Yetzirah and remez to the World of Beriah. This difference will now be clarified.

Pshat: This term (lit., "plain meaning") has three con­ notations: (a) Breadth. Thus, an example of pshutei klei etz (lit., "plain wooden utensils") is a broad and flat baker's board, an object with no containing capacity. The Mishnah classifies objects accordingly: "In the case of utensils made of wood or leather or bone or glass, those that are flat remain undefiled (as far as explicit Torah law is concerned), whereas those that have a containing capacity are impure." The word pashut here clearly describes flat breadth. So, too, in another context, "four deyumdin" (i.e., corner-columns whose cross­ section is L-shaped) are contrasted with "four pshutim" (i.e., flat boards, a cubit in width). (b) Divestment, drawing aside. The root in this sense ap­ pears in the verse, ufashat es begadav — "He shall remove his clothes." (c) Breaking something down. The same root is used in this sense in the verse, Pashat gedud bachutz — "The bandits raid outside." Combining these three meanings, we see that pshat im­ plies a direct and broad understanding of a concept, whereby one divests it of the written letters in which it is

Rectifies and rehabilitates: The corresponding noun in the original is Tikkun. The Mishnah: Tractate Keilim 2:1. Another context: Tractate Truvin 2:1. He shall remove: Lev. 6:4. The bandits raid: Has. 7:1.