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A darshan (Hebrew: דַּרְשָׁן) or baal darshan (Hebrew: בַּעַל־דַּרְשָׁן) is a Jewish scriptural interpreter. Since the Middle Ages, it has referred to a professional sermonizer more broadly.[1][2] The title was given to Abtalion and Shemaiah in the 1st century BCE.[3]
Since the 1990s, some branches of Liberal Judaism have ordained lay leaders and chaplains as darshanim.[citation needed] Today, the term is sometimes used for whoever delivers a sermon at a service, whether they are ordained or a layperson.
- ^ Berenbaum, Michael; Skolnik, Fred, eds. (2007). "Darshan". Encyclopaedia Judaica (2nd ed.). Detroit: Macmillan Reference. ISBN 978-0-02-866097-4.
- ^ Gries, Zeev (2008). "Preachers and Preaching". In Hundert, Gershon (ed.). YIVO Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe. Translated by Green, Jeffrey. New Haven: Yale University Press.
- ^ Pesachim 70b.