QUESTION:
When there is a machlokes (dispute) between the pshat (the surface level of Torah, or nigleh) and the sod (the secret level of Torah, or nistar) of a matter, how do we understand such arguments? Are they arguing about what the facts are?
ANSWER:
The Vilna Gaon said that there is never an argument between pshat (nigleh) and sod (nistar). If it seems to a person that there is a machlokes between the pshat and the sod of the matter, either the person doesn’t understand the pshat or he doesn’t understand the sod.
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