Dvar Torah
/ˌdɛvɑːr ˈtɔːrə/noun
A teaching, commentary, or sermon on a passage from the Torah, especially one delivered in a Jewish religious setting.
Did you know?The Hebrew word dvar can mean both “word” and “matter,” suggesting that a spoken teaching is not merely language but a subject brought into reality.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
דְּבַר תּוֹרָה (dvar Torah)
“A word, matter, or teaching concerning Torah”
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
דָּבָר (davar)
“Word, speech, matter, thing, or affair”
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
תּוֹרָה (torah)
“Instruction, teaching, or authoritative guidance”
Rabbinic Hebrew
Hebrew
דְּבַר תּוֹרָה
“A rabbinic teaching or discussion concerning Torah”
20th Century
English
dvar Torah
“An English-used Jewish term for a sermon, lesson, or commentary on Torah”
Modern English
English
Dvar Torah
“A Torah-based religious teaching, commonly delivered at synagogue services or Jewish gatherings”