What Is a D’var Torah?
“A D’var Torah (plural: Divre Torah) is a short talk based on a classical text or theme of relevance to the occasion when it is delivered. Often, the relevance is direct: the text may be a biblical passage that has been recited aloud on that Shabbat or holiday, for example. The D’var Torah takes many forms, but the common element is that the points made must be of more than academic interest. The presenter should have something to say that is of relevance to the personal or communal lives of the audience. A well-constructed, well-delivered D’var Torah, even a very short one, can give the participants in an event with a formulaic liturgy (such as a prayer service and wedding ceremony) a sense that something special, unique, and personal has transpired.” (From MyJewishLearning.com)
Let's recall the original motivation for starting "Shalom Africa." A brother and his congregation were told that they should stop giving sermons since there were no students of Torah among them. I have refrained from commenting about the arrogance and the ignorance of the person who made that statement, because the relevant issue at hand is this: How does one go about learning how to speak meaningfully about Torah when one has not grown up in a synagogue community hearing rabbis and other learned individuals presenting traditional, authentically Jewish Divre Torah? [Visit the Archives for back issues of “Shalom Africa.”]
Answer: If we did not hear such Divre Torah in the past and do not have the means to listen to them in the present, we can read contemporary Divre Torah. If we can, we will pattern our own, original Divre Torah on the model or models that we read. If we cannot craft a D'var Torah of our own, we can read what other students of Torah have written, making sure to give credit to the person who wrote what we are quoting.
Either way, it is important that people who attend our synagogue services learn about our religious tradition and not go hungry for words of inspiration and insight. Hungry people will go elsewhere to be fed -- and the Messianics and others will be all too happy to feed them.
How to Give a D’var Torah
How to Prepare a D’var Torah
To get started, read what these writers have to say about how they approach the preparation of a D'var Torah. Then read actual Divre Torah to get specific ideas. These Divre Torah will often have the sources -- quotations from the Talmud, Midrash, medieval commentators, etc. -- that will help you prepare a D'var Torah of your own.
Seven Approaches to a D'var Torah, by Rabbi Richard J. Israel
Do's and Don't of Giving a D'var Torah, by Rabbi Richard J. Israel
Preparing a Jewish Sermon, by Rabbi Bernard L. Berzon
