darash

Darash is a Hebrew verb from the root D-R-S, generally meaning to seek, inquire, examine, or study. In biblical Hebrew it appears as the action of seeking understanding or guidance, and in modern usage it is commonly translated as to study or research.

In Jewish textual tradition, darash is also associated with a specific method of interpretation, often referred to as derash or derashah. This hermeneutic approach is considered midrashic or homiletic, focusing on deriving meaning, laws, or ethical teachings by connecting verses, exploring textual gaps, and expanding narratives beyond their plain sense. Derash often contrasts with peshat, the “plain meaning” of the text, and with other interpretive methods. Rabbinic authorities would darash biblical passages to extract legal rulings, theological ideas, or moral exhortations, sometimes weaving together multiple verses to formulate new insights.

In modern Hebrew, the verb is used in everyday and academic contexts to mean “to study” or “to research,” for example le-darash et ha-kor’im (to study the scriptures) or le-darash be-yafeh ha-tora (to study the Torah interpretively). The term also appears in scholarly discussions of ancient exegesis to denote the broader interpretive tradition that includes midrashic practices.

Across related languages, roots with similar meanings (such as Arabic darasa from d-r-s) share the underlying sense of study and inquiry, though usage and nuance differ by linguistic and cultural context.