250. Another explanation OF THE VERSE "And from thence it was parted, and branched into four streams" IS THAT IT IS THE SECRET OF the four SAGES: BEN AZAI, BEN ZOMA, THE OTHER ONE AND RABBI AKIVA, who entered the pardes (orchard). THE HEBREW WORD PARDES CONSISTS OF THE INITIALS OF THE WORDS PESHAT (THE LITERAL MEANING OF THE TORAH), REMEZ (HINTS AND ALLUSIONS), DRASH (HOMILETICAL INTERPRETATION) AND SOD (ESOTERIC INTERPRETATION). One OF THE FOUR SAGES entered THE RIVER OF Pishon, WHICH ALLUDES TO THE PESHAT (LITERAL MEANING) OF THE TORAH THAT SHINES IN THE ORCHARD, as Pishon is composed of Pi-Shoneh- (lit. 'My mouth repeats') Halachah, which is the literal meaning. The second entered THE RIVER OF Gichon, where is buried the one of which it is written: "Whatever goes on the belly" (Heb. gachon) (Vayikra 11:42). THIS REFERS TO MOSES, WHO IS THE SECRET OF THE LETTER VAV OF GACHON, WHICH IS BIG AND IS THE LETTER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TORAH. THIS IS ALSO THE ASPECT OF Gabriel THAT CONSISTS OF THE LETTERS Gavar El, THE GVURAH OF EL. Of him it is written: "To a man (Heb. gever) whose way is hidden, and from whom Eloha has screened Himself" (Iyov 3:23), MEANING THAT THE REASON FOR HIM HIDING HIS WAYS AND NOT REVEALING HIMSELF IN FULL IS BECAUSE "ELOHA HAS SCREENED HIMSELF" AND NOT BECAUSE OF MOSES'S DEFICIENCY. THIS IS WHY no man knew the place of his burial - nor will until the very day when he will be revealed there. THIS IS BECAUSE THE PLACE OF THE DEFECT IS THE PLACE OF BURIAL AND, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DEFECT IN HIM, NOBODY KNEW WHERE HE WAS BURIED. ONLY AT THE END OF CORRECTION, AFTER MOSES'S PREFECTION IS REVEALED, WILL THE DEFICIENCY BE DISTINGUISHED BY THE PERFECTION THAT WILL BE REVEALED. THIS IS THE SECRET OF THE PLACE OF HIS BURIAL. This is the part of remez (hints) OF THE TORAH, and wise men ARE INFORMED by hints.