Drash
/drɑːʃ/noun
An interpretive exposition or sermon based on a biblical passage, especially in Jewish tradition.
Did you know?Drash comes from the Hebrew root דרש, meaning “to seek” or “inquire,” the same root behind “midrash,” Jewish interpretation that explores layers of meaning in sacred texts.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
דָּרַשׁ (dāraš)
“To seek, inquire, investigate, or seek an interpretation”
Late Second Temple Period
Hebrew
דְּרָשׁ (derāš)
“Interpretation or exposition, especially of scripture”
Rabbinic Hebrew
Hebrew
דְּרָשָׁה (derāšāh)
“A sermon or homiletic exposition of a biblical passage”
Medieval Jewish Usage
Hebrew/Yiddish
דרוש (drush)
“Interpretive biblical discourse or learned sermon”
Modern English
English
drash
“A Jewish scriptural interpretation, sermon, or exposition”