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Divrei Torah

Home » Divrei Torah

One of the core values of the Havurah movement is the active role played by community members.

Divrei Torah | Additional Commentaries

At Fabrangen this active role is expressed, among other ways, in the discussion of the weekly Torah portion. In place of the rabbi’s sermon, each Shabbat a Fabrangen member or invited guest will give a “drash” (i.e., a talk, a “d’var Torah”) introducing some aspect of the weekly portion. The drash is preceded by a partial Hebrew reading and a full English reading of the weekly Torah portion, and it is followed by an animated and wide-ranging community discussion.

Torah Text

The drash itself may focus on textual analysis, on a key philosophical theme of the particular Torah portion, or on ways in which some aspect of the Torah portion affects us in our lives. During the Torah discussion, everyone – newcomers and guests included – are encouraged to share their thoughts about the weekly portion. Because a different person gives the drash each week, this tradition provides a wonderful glimpse into the intellectual gifts and diversity of the Fabrangen community.

For many of us, the drash and Torah discussion are a particularly memorable part of each Shabbat experience—something to be reflected on during the coming work week.

Here are two sources for the actual texts themselves:

  • Hebcal Torah Readings
  • The Sefaria Library  (Click the button for Parashat Hashavua under “Calendar”)

Here are written versions of past drashes by Fabrangen members.

ParashahD’var TorahParashahD’var Torah
Bereishit● Ross Bettinger, 2016
Bereishit
● Rick LaRue, 2020
Let There Be Light: Transparency, Connections and Mechitzas
Aharei Mot/Kedoshim
Noah● Caleb Kriesberg, 2012
Noah – Does Judaism Root for the Ravens?
Emor● David Goldston  2022
D’rash Emor
Lekh LekhaBehar/Behukkotai
Vayeira● David Goldston, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,  2018
Vayeira 
Bamidbar● David Goldston, 2020
D’rash B’midbar
Hayei Sarah● Bracha Laster, 2013 (Revised 2017 at Fabrangen West)
Parshat Hayei Sarah
● Lucy Steinitz, 2020
The Life of Sarah
Shavu’ot● Rachel Braun, 2019
Ruth and Naomi, Devoted Partners in memory of Dorothy Braun z”l
● Lucy Steinitz, 2019
Yizkor
● Rachel Braun, 2020
Torah is acquired in 48 ways. Pirkei Avot 6:6
ToldotNaso● Caleb Kriesberg, 2023
Parshat Naso
● Larry Garber, 2020
Torah Drash – Parshat Naso
Vayetzei● Rachel Braun, 2015
Adonai was in this place…
Beha’alotekha● Deborah Shapiro, 2007
Numbers 12:1-2
● Deborah Shapiro, 2013
Numbers 8:12
● Rachel Braun, 2023
Torah service warning: subversion ahead!
VayishlahShelah Lekha● Deborah Shapiro, 2013
Numbers 13-16
VayeishevKorah● Lucy Steinitz, 2017
Balak
Mikeitz –
Shabbat Hanukah
● David Goldston, 2021
Genesis 41:1-44:17 
Hukkat● Bob Rovinsky z”l, 2010
Numbers 25:10–30:1
● Deborah Shapiro, 2013
Numbers 25:10-30:1
● Lucy Steinitz, 2020
Pinchas / Numbers 25:10–30:1
VayigashBalak
VayehiPinhas
Shemot● Rachel Braun, 2015
Shemot: Sharing values, sharing risks
Mattot/
Mas’ei
● Lucy Steinitz, 2021
Numbers 30:2–36:13
Va-eira – Rosh HodeshDevarim – Hazon
BoVa-et-hannan – Nahamu● Zahara Heckscher z”l, 2016
The Mountaintop
● Lucy Steinitz, 2023
Exodus 10:1 – 13:16
● Rabbi Charles Feinberg, 2023
God Alone
B’shallah
Shabbat Shirah –
Tu Beshvat
● Esther Ticktin on her 80th Birthday, 2005
B’shalah
Eikev● Mark Perlis, 2012
Deuteronomy 11:13-21
● David Kriesberg, 2006
Eikev – On the occasion of his bar mitzvah
● Fran Goldman, 2020
Eikev
Yitro● David Goldston, 2014
Yitro
Re-ei● Caleb Kriesberg, 2003
Re’ei 2003
● Debbie Goldman, August 15, 2020
Parsha R’eih – 100th anniversary of 19th Amendment
Mishpatim – Shekalim● Manny Thorne, 2013
Mishpatim
Shofetim
TerumahKi Tetzei
Tetzavveh – Zakhor● Rachel Braun, 2018
The Menorah: Embracing an Impossible Symbol
● David Goldston, 2020
Tetzaveh
Ki Tavo● Deborah Shapiro, 2011
Deuteronomy 26:13
Ki Tissa –
Parah
Nitazavim/
Vayeilekh
Vayak-hel/ Pekudey● Rachel Braun, 2020
Finishing the book of Exodus, 5780
Rosh Hashanah
Day 1
● Esther Ticktin z”l
The Readings on Rosh Hashanah
● Susan Barocas, RH Day 1, 2012
As a child, I never knew Rosh Hashanah had so many names.
● Rachel Braun, 2020
Yotzer Ohr — Cracks of Light and 
Reading the Shema incorrectly helps me think about gratitude.
● Larry Garber, 2023
 Genesis 21:1-34
VayikraRosh Hashanah
Day 2
● Esther Ticktin z”l
The Readings on Rosh Hashanah
● Virginia Spatz, 1998
Worm-Hole Aliens, the Mikvah and the Akeda
● Virginia Spatz, 2009
“Look Behind You“: Akedah 5770
● Allen Hirsh, 2012
A Modern Take on the Akedah – Genesis 22:1–19
● David Goldston, 2019
Akeda
● Debbie Goldman, 2023
Akeda
Tzav – HaGadol● Deborah Shapiro, 2013
Leviticus 3-8
● David Goldston  2022
D’rash Tzav
Haazinu – Shuvah● Caleb Kriesberg
Haazinu  – Shabbat Shuvah
Hol HaMo-eid PesahYom Kippur● Debbie Goldman, 2000
Jonah
● David Goldston, 2013
Yom Kippur Morning Drash
Coming Up on September
 by Marge Piercy
● Rachel Braun, 2015
Vows and Power: Thoughts before Kol Nidre
● Rose Berstein, 2016
Today is Yom Kippur
● Lucy Steinitz, 2016
Imagine You are Jonah
● Rachel Braun, 2019
Atonement when we’ve done right
●Eric Rosenthal, 2019
Jonah 
● Lucy Steinitz, 2020
Forgiving Oneself
● David Goldston, 2020
Yom Kippur Morning Drash
SheminiHol Hamoed Sukkot● Virginia Spatz, 1999
Alone in the Sukkah
● David Goldston,  2011
Shabbat Kol Ha-Moed Sukkot
● David Goldston, 2020
D’rash for first day of Sukkot
Tazria/
Metzora
● David Goldston,  2023
Parsha Tazria-Metzora
Simhat Torah● Zahara Heckscher z”l, 2016
Simchat Torah

Additional Commentaries

Virgina Spatz, 2010
Is Thanks Ever Simple?-part 1 – A Response to a service led by Talia Laster at Fabrangen West

Fabrangen Community Musings:

Yizkor Embroidery
  • Counting the Omer: This blog, launched for the omer period 5770 (2010), originally provided daily reminders and some thoughts shared by Fabrangeners, on the journey from Passover’s freedom to the Revelation of Shavuot. As Kurt Vonnegut once said (see Day Nineteen), however: “Sometimes you’re busy when a clock strikes and you miss the count.” So thoughts from Fabrangen’s inaugural blog remain here for the continuing journey, beyond Sinai. Thanks to Virginia Spatz for curating the site.
  • Three Weeks: This blog, created and curated by Fabrangener Bob Rovinsky, z”l in 2013, focuses on the three weeks of preparation for Tisha B’av, the day commemorating the destruction of the Temple and many other calamities. Posts included meditations, poetry, writings, and remembrances from Fabrangen members.

Midrash Meditations: This blog was written by Dale Lupu and Richard Gladstein from 2010 to 2014 – “We write these midrash meditations weekly to inspire our sitting group and chevrah (and ourselves). Our aim is to look carefully and closely at one detail in the weekly parsha. We contemplate it, asking what lessons it can teach us about living wisely, peacefully, compassionately, and joyfully.”

Tour of Torah: This blog by Fabrangener Rachel Braun has commentary on Torah and on tefillah (plus a little Purim Torah!). You may also enjoy exploring Rachel’s home site.

“A Song Every Day”: This blog by Virginia Spatz

Contact

Fabrangen Havurah

We meet in the Washington Ethical Society building at
7750 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20012

Please check the calendar for the service format for any particular Shabbat.

Email: coordinator@fabrangen.org
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Leave a message at: (202) 595-9138

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