In a Jewish bar or bat mitzvah service, the student’s Torah commentary is commonly called a d’var Torah.
The Hebrew phrase means “a word of Torah” or “a matter of Torah.” It usually refers to a short speech that explains, interprets, or applies ideas from the weekly Torah portion. A bar or bat mitzvah student may deliver a d’var Torah after reading or chanting part of the service.
The speech can combine traditional commentary with personal reflection. Students often connect the biblical text to ethical questions, family experiences, community concerns, or the responsibilities associated with becoming a Jewish adult. The style is not fixed, so a d’var Torah may be scholarly, devotional, or conversational.
It is not the same as the Torah reading itself. The reading consists of the biblical text, while the d’var Torah is an interpretation or teaching based on that text. The phrase is also used for sermons given by rabbis and other speakers.