Rabbi Michael Barclay4 days agoEmor: Ethical Leadership Through ServiceThis week’s commentary is dedicated to the memory of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai...
Rabbi Michael Barclay4 days agoAbortion: A Jewish Perspective on a Passionate IssueWith a subject like abortion, where people are easily controlled by their passions, it becomes easy to base our opinions on what we “feel”..
Rabbi Michael Barclay6 days agoSocial Justice Warriors Silent After Lufthansa Boots Over 100 Jews From FlightFor those who still live in a world of pink unicorns and think that there is no longer mainstream hate and anti-Semitism, I suggest that....
Rabbi Michael BarclayMay 6Kedoshim: To Bring Holiness Into the WorldOften called “the holiness code”, this week’s Torah reading is, in some ways, the very essence of Judaism.
Rabbi Michael BarclayApr 30Nazi ComparisonsA criminal is wrongfully killed, and “peaceful demonstrations,” which are actually violent riots, break out nationwide.
Rabbi Michael BarclayApr 29Rabbi Barclay Torah Commentary in The Jewish JournalAnd Aaron shall place lots upon the two he goats: one lot “For the Lord,” and the other lot, “For Azazel.” –Lev. 16:8
Rabbi Michael BarclayApr 22Achrei/Mot: Don’t Worry, Be Happy!Joy is a Jewish theological imperative, and as we conclude the Passover holiday and count the days until Shavuot, it is so, so important...
Rabbi Michael BarclayApr 15A Holy PassoverAs we prepare for the Passover Seder, it is easy to learn so many hidden secrets and Kabbalistic understandings that we lose track of....
Rabbi Michael BarclayApr 8Shabbat HaGadol: A Time of Faith, Action, and CommunityThe Shabbat immediately preceding Passover is called “Shabbat HaGadol”, “the big Sabbath”.
Rabbi Michael BarclayApr 1Tazria: The Leprosy of Gossip“Life and Death are in the Hands of the Tongue” (Proverbs 18:21)
Rabbi Michael BarclayMar 25Shemini: We Are What We EatI once heard an eager student ask Rabbi Ronnie Serr how he should go about becoming more observant.
Rabbi Michael BarclayMar 17Purim & St. Patty’s DayOn the eve of March 16, Jews around the world begin the celebration of Purim....
Rabbi Michael BarclayMar 15Purim – A Jewish Path for Addiction RecoveryAll the Festivals will be annulled in future time except for Purim” Midrash Mishlei 9:2
Rabbi Michael BarclayMar 11VaYikra - To Answer the CallThis week’s Torah reading are the first chapters of the Book of Leviticus…
Rabbi Michael BarclayMar 4Pekudei: Eternal Change Through Physical ShiftsIn this final reading in the Book of Exodus, there are two important biblical concepts that are as important today as they were over 3000...
Rabbi Michael BarclayFeb 25Vayakhel: Building a Holy Community on Individual Effort“Do not regard anyone with contempt, and do not reject anything, for there is no man who does not have his hour and nothing which does...
Rabbi Michael BarclayFeb 23We Must Save Our Nation From Elitist AuthoritariansTo truly lead, one must serve. This concept is an accepted foundation of all good leaders, be they political, business, or religious.
Rabbi Michael BarclayFeb 18Ki Tisa: Stepping Towards ForgivenessIdolatry. Sexual immorality. Murder. The description of the events of the Golden Calf in this week’s portion sound like the outline for...
Rabbi Michael BarclayFeb 11Tetzaveh: To Divine From the HeartThe Urim and Thummim are something that is rarely discussed in the Reform Jewish world, although they have great importance both...
Rabbi Michael BarclayFeb 4Terumah: How To Give a GiftThe first two lines of this Torah reading teach a valuable lesson we all need to remember in personal relationships: how to give a gift.