D’var Torah literally means “a word of Torah”, and is the Hebrew term for what most people call a text based sermon. It starts with some aspect of the weekly portion and
develops from there. Below is a very simple outline for a d’var Torah that has worked for many of our students over the years. You will have 4 meetings with a Rabbi to help prepare the Dvar Torah.
In general terms the d’var Torah is trying to accomplish the following:
- Gain some grasp of the context and content of the weekly portion.
- Explore some theme or aspect of interest – one, two, or three things at the most—which can be developed.
The d’var Torah can be written in the format of a persuasive essay, or even a book report.
Unlike school projects where parents want their child to operate independently, in this case parents should feel free to actively participate in this learning process with their child, as long as that is productive for both parents and child. Some Torah portions are more accessible than others. Please feel free to contact the Rabbi for help.
We ask that you own a copy of The Torah: A Modern Commentary, by W.G. Plaut, revised edition, copyright 2005, 2006 by URJ Press. This Chumash (first five books of the Hebrew Bible in English and Hebrew with additional readings) is the edition we use in our services at Congregation Shomrei Torah. It is an important resource to have at home. You also may find A Torah Commentary for Our Times by Harvey J. Fields and Teaching Torah by Loeb and Kadden to be helpful resources.
On line sources can also be very helpful. But remember that everything is written through a specific lens, so please work with your child to help interpret the material.
http://urj.org/learning/torah/
http://www.aish.com/tp/pl/
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/otherparshas_cdo/aid/9175/jewish/All-Parshas.htm
http://www.hebcal.com/sedrot/
D’var Torah Outline:
My Torah portion is __________
from the Book of _____________Verses ______________________
The section from which I will be chanting is about:
Three questions I have about my Torah portion are:
Things I like, dislike, or don’t understand include:
A situation in my life that reminds me of my portion is: