Before choosing a Drasha the following three things should be considered:

1. Be Honest About Your Son’s Abilities.

Before choosing a drasha, it’s essential to have a clear and realistic understanding of your son’s learning level.

What type of learning does he enjoy? What challenges him—and what overwhelms him?

The last thing we want is for the drasha to feel like a burden. On the contrary, our goal is for him to enjoy every moment of preparing it.

Dear Father, remember this well.

Your son is just like you.

Just as you only feel the joy of learning—chedvasah d’Oraisa—when you reach clarity and real understanding,

so too, your son will only find meaning in the drasha if he truly understands what he’s saying.

That’s why the first and most important step is this:

Know your son.

Only after honestly assessing his academic strengths and limitations can you choose the drasha that’s right for him.

A Crucial Message.

Some parents fall into the trap of trying to impress their guests with a complex, sophisticated drasha—

as if the drasha is a performance for others, rather than a personal experience for their son.

Please don’t make this mistake.

Please don’t use your son to gain fleeting approval from a crowd.

Please don’t let your child carry the memory of struggling through a drasha—not for himself, but for someone else’s applause.

Isn’t it far more valuable for him to remember how deeply you cared?

That you chose a drasha with him in mind—his abilities, his confidence, and his enjoyment?

Choose Wisely.

Choose a drasha that fits your son like a glove.

Choose a speech that will make him smile while he learns, that he’ll deliver with confidence and pride.

Think about your son—and only your son.

That’s the drasha he’ll never forget.

That’s the memory you will treasure forever.

2.How Much Time Is Left Until the Bar Mitzvah?

Another crucial factor when choosing the right drasha is time.

How much time do you realistically have to prepare the drasha together with your son—calmly, confidently, and without pressure?

If the Bar Mitzvah is still months away, you might consider taking on a slightly more challenging drasha and working through it gradually, in small, manageable segments.

But if time is short, it’s wise to choose a shorter, simpler drasha—something your son can master without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Remember:

Even if your son is a strong learner, the stress of a ticking clock can hold him back.

Feeling pressured can rob him of the enjoyment—and make the experience feel more like a burden than a milestone.

In short:
The amount of time you have is just as important as your son’s ability.
Plan wisely—so you can both enjoy the journey.

3.What Does Your Son Really Want?

When choosing a drasha, one of the most important—perhaps the most important—factors to consider is your son’s motivation.

Not every child approaches learning with the same enthusiasm.Some are naturally eager, others less so.

And while intellectual ability is important, it’s not enough. Even the brightest child may struggle if he simply isn’t interested.

A drasha that fits your son’s learning level but doesn’t match his level of motivation will feel like a burden—something to “get through” rather than to enjoy.
And that’s the last thing we want.

We’re not just preparing a speech.
We’re building your son’s relationship with Torah.
And if he walks away from the process feeling overwhelmed or discouraged, we may unintentionally leave him with a negative association that could linger far beyond the Bar Mitzvah.

But if the learning is tailored not just to his mind, but also to his heart, it can be a beautiful and uplifting experience—one that plants within him a lasting love for Torah and a sense of joy in learning.

So What Can You Do?

Talk to your son.
Ask him what he wants. Hear what he’s excited about—or nervous about.
In most cases, simply involving him in the decision-making will make him feel valued and invested.

And once he senses that this isn’t just a task imposed on him—but a journey you’re taking with him—his willingness and enthusiasm will naturally grow.

Because the real goal isn’t just a well-delivered speech.
It’s a meaningful, shared experience… and a beautiful start to a lifetime of Torah.

                                         Choosing the Right Drasha for Your Son

Once you’ve taken the time to assess what’s truly in your son’s best interest—his abilities, his motivation, and the time available—the next step is finding a drasha that’s a perfect fit.

To help you do that, we’ve carefully organized our selection into five levels, so you can easily choose a drasha that matches your son’s academic profile and learning style.

Level 1 – Simplest and Most Accessible

Designed for boys who find learning particularly challenging—especially if their average Gemara test score is below 40%. These drashot are written with clarity and warmth, to make the experience uplifting and achievable.

Level 2 – For Emerging Learners

Ideal for boys with a basic grasp of learning, averaging around 60% on Gemara tests. These drashot offer a bit more depth while remaining highly accessible and enjoyable.

Level 3 – Solid and Confident Learners

Recommended for students who are consistent and capable, with an average score of about 80%. These drashot contain more substance and are suited to boys who enjoy thoughtful engagement with the material.

Level 4 – Advanced Students

Meant for boys with excellent comprehension and little difficulty following complex ideas. If your son consistently scores near 100% and thrives on depth, this level offers a meaningful challenge.

Level 5 – Exceptional and Gifted Learners

These drashot are longer, more intricate, and intellectually demanding—comparable in depth to a full siman in Sha’agas Aryeh. They are suited to boys with outstanding abilities who enjoy deep conceptual learning and wish to take on something truly exceptional.

Please note:

• Level 5 drashot are available exclusively in Lashon HaKodesh.

• Although they are clearly written, they contain fewer explanatory notes than the other levels. This is intentional: boys at this level are generally capable of independent analysis and often find lengthy explanations unnecessary or distracting.

• Because these drashot vary more widely in style and complexity, we encourage you to review them carefully before choosing. And of course, if you’re unsure, feel free to reach out—we’re always happy to guide you in making the best choice for your son.

A Few Important Points Before You Choose

• Selecting the right level of drasha for your son means choosing one he can understand and enjoy without becoming frustrated.
  Of course, if your son is motivated and ready to put in extra effort, you may want to consider a drasha one—or even two—levels above his natural learning level. The decision depends on his interest, his time, and your ability to guide him through the process.

• It’s important to know that the gap between one level and the next is not dramatic. A boy who typically scores 80% but is capable of reaching 100% with more effort can likely manage a Level 4 drasha. The same principle applies across all levels.

A Gentle Reminder

• Preparing the drasha together is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—a beautiful way to connect with your son, share in his learning, and create a memory you’ll both treasure forever.

• Please don’t let outside pressures or expectations cloud this experience. Focus on your son, his enjoyment, and his growth. That’s what truly matters.

• Still Not Sure Which Level to Choose?

         Here’s a helpful tip:

         Most of our drashot are designed with flexibility in mind. You’ll notice certain sections appear in                 parentheses—these can be skipped if needed.

• So if you’re torn between two levels, we suggest choosing the higher one. You’ll have the option to simplify as needed by leaving out the parenthetical parts. And if your son gains confidence later, you can easily revisit and include them.

• Please Note

      While great care has gone into preparing and categorizing each drasha, no system is perfect. Every          child is unique, and learning styles vary. Still, with over 25 years of experience guiding this process,            we’ve developed a structure that has proven to be highly accurate and reliable.

         Wishing you hatzlacha and a meaningful journey of Torah learning with your son!

Let us know if you’d like help choosing a specific drasha—we’re here to assist you every step of the way.