Rabbi Matthew Goldstone Archives | Academy for Jewish Religion

9 03, 2026

Parshiyot Vayakhel-Pekudei 5786

Marisa Amith2026-03-09T10:23:39-04:00

A D’var Torah for Parshiyot Vayakhel-Pekudei

By Rabbi Dr. Matthew Goldstone

Parashat Vayakhel begins with a discussion of Shabbat that barely adds new information. Of the two verses that appear here about Shabbat, one of them (Exod. 35:2) reiterates information that we learned just a few chapters ago (i.e., Exod. 31:15) and the other seems to only provide a single example of what constitutes work – i.e., lighting fire. So why this emphasis on something that largely appears to repeat what we already know?

Starting with the verse that provides new information (Exod. 35:3), we can ask what is so special about kindling fire that the Torah singles this out as a key prohibition for Shabbat? In some ways fire is the quintessential catalyst for transformative work. Fire cooks food, tempers metal, and allows for a plethora of technologies. The modern equivalent is perhaps electricity (understood by some traditional posekim to be Read More >

Parshiyot Vayakhel-Pekudei 5786Marisa Amith2026-03-09T10:23:39-04:00

9 09, 2024

Parashat Ki Teitzei 5784

Linda Ripps2024-09-09T14:05:48-04:00

Our parashah this week opens with a somewhat disturbing series on scenarios – a man takes a captured woman and makes her his wife, a man with two wives tries to favor the child of his preferred wife, and a rebellious son is killed for not listening to his parents. Rashi, based on Midrash Tanhuma, explains that this sequence is interconnected – forcing this woman to be his wife will lead to hatred and attempting to disinherit her son, leading to a rebellious child.

Parashat Ki Teitzei 5784Linda Ripps2024-09-09T14:05:48-04:00

12 08, 2024

Parashat Vaethanan 5784

Linda Ripps2024-08-12T15:31:03-04:00

The phrase “going above and beyond” may conjure up images of the superstar friend, neighbor, or colleague who brings a smile to our face when we think about the ways that they have been there for us and others over the years. Rabbis, cantors, and Jewish leaders in particular so often go above and beyond in the time and energy that they dedicate to their sacred work.

Parashat Vaethanan 5784Linda Ripps2024-08-12T15:31:03-04:00

18 09, 2023

Parashat Ha’azinu

Linda Ripps2023-09-18T18:12:53-04:00

As we move from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, this week we read Parashat Ha’azinu, Moses’ farewell song. There are many fruitful portions of the parashah upon which to focus, but my attention immediately gravitates to the phrase וַיִּשְׁמַן יְשֻׁרוּן וַיִּבְעָט (“and Yeshurun grew fat and kicked”; Deut. 32:15).

Parashat Ha’azinuLinda Ripps2023-09-18T18:12:53-04:00

8 05, 2023

Parashiyot Behar-Behukotai 5783

jackielebwohl2023-06-01T10:56:55-04:00

The second of this week’s parashiyot, Behukotai, lists the various blessings in store for those who observe all of God’s commandments and enumerates the multitude of curses awaiting those who ignore or disobey. While the underlying theology, that our actions are the immediate catalyst for the good and bad we see in the world, may not resonate for some of us, I would like to focus on a different dimension of the correlation between our actions and a divine response.

“And if these things fail to discipline you for Me, and you remain hostile to Me, I too will remain hostile to you…” (Lev. 26:23-24).

God’s response to human hostility (קֶרִי) is divine hostility (קֶרִי). The quoted passage suggests, in rabbinic parlance, מידה כנגד מידה, “a measure for measure” response. The sense of commensurateness between deed, on the one hand, and reward or punishment, on the other, undergirds many approaches to Read More >

Parashiyot Behar-Behukotai 5783jackielebwohl2023-06-01T10:56:55-04:00

All shall unite to do God's will with an open heart.

All shall unite to do God's will with an open heart.

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