A D’var Torah literally means a short spoken or written word commentary on the chosen text. It can be used to offer a bridge or link from the ancient Biblical text to our modern world. So ideally it should offer an explanation or insight into those ancient words and give a reason for the relevance today. The D’var Torah below does not claim to provide any radical new insights but is mostly an introduction to the text with a short conclusion:
“The Torah Scroll contains the 5 Books of Moses, which tells the story of the origin of our world and the idea of one invisible God that is the maker of the Universe and the story of the Israelites, who came to believe in one universal God. and would not worship different lifeless objects objects or idols.
Exodus is the Second book of the Torah. During a period of famine, the Israelites had been given refuge in Egypt by one Pharaoh, but when a new Pharaoh became leader he decided to make the Israelites or Hebrews, slaves. Faced with a rebellion he ordered all the first born to be murdered but one was saved called Moshe or Moses. Moses, arose as their leader and tried to negotiate with Pharaoh. But he was obstinate so Moses asked the help of God who then caused plagues to hurt the Egyptians. Because the Pharaoh did not give in, God ordered the first born of the Egyptians to be killed. This act of collective reprisal on all Egyptians has led to centuries of commentaries by rabbis about this final plague.
Preparing for the first Passover (Pesach)
The end of the slavery is coming: The Pharaoh, the Egyptian King, will finally be made to release our people from years of oppression. So Moses calls a meeting of the leaders of the tribes of Israel and gives them practical instructions for the first Passover. Each household must use the blood of a lamb to paint the doorposts and lintel above the door of their homes. This blood will serve as a sign of protection, so that the Angel of Death will pass over their houses.
A Summary
Moses explains that this procedure or ritual is not only for that night but is to become a permanent tradition. In future generations, when children ask about the meaning of these actions, parents must explain that it commemorates how God passed over the houses of the Israelites and saved them while striking Egypt.
The people respond with humility and faith: they bow down and worship. They then do exactly as commanded, preparing for the moment that will lead to their freedom. Together, with the custom of eating marzah (biscuits) or unleavened bread, marks the core instruction for the Passover or Pesach festival.
Key themes of this portion from the Torah
• Obedience expressed through action, not words
• Memory and teaching: passing the story to children
• Protection linked to collective responsibility (each household acts)
• Transition from slavery to redemption begins before freedom itself.”
