Rabbi Michael Barclay
Vayelech - Strength & Courage in the Face of Loss
Aware that he is about to die, Moses appoints Joshua as his successor in front of all the people.
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Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Sep 23
Netzavim: Holy Thresholds
“You stand this day, all of you, before the LORD your God—your tribal heads, your elders and your officials, all the men of Israel...
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Sep 16
Ki Tavo - Honoring the Past and Entering the Future
This week’s Torah portion of Ki Tavo (Deut. 26:1-29:8) teaches us how we are to enter the Promised Land...
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Sep 8
Ki Teitzei: The Ethics of War
Every Shavuot, we read from Tikkun Leil Shavuot, a holy text that includes among other readings the first and last lines of every Torah....
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Sep 2
Shoftim: Pursuing True Justice
Have you ever wondered how it can be true that “two Jews equals three opinions, four rabbis, and five synagogues”?
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Aug 25
Re’eh: The Supreme Coach
There is an old saying in sports that there is a huge difference between watching the bullfight and being in the ring.
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Aug 19
Eikev: Actions Lead to Consequences
Why don’t we always get what we want from God, and why does God even allow people to be in pain?
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Aug 11
V’etchanan: Never Forget
A great deal of the Book of Deuteronomy is a recapitulation of the Hebrews’ journey into freedom through the speeches of Moses.
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Aug 10
Randi Weingarten Wields Her Misunderstanding of Judaism Like a Weapon
I have no doubt that this article will cause me personal challenges, but truth needs to be said.
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Aug 4
Devarim: Darkness Will Become Light
This week’s portion is the beginning of the Book of Deuteronomy, which is always read immediately prior to the holiday of Tisha B’Av…
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Jul 28
Matot/Masei: Our Word is Our Bond
As discussed earlier, although there are 54 Torah portions, there are only 50 or 51 Shabbats per year, and that doesn’t count those Shabbats
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Jul 21
Pinchas, Passion, and a Hope for the Future
This week’s Torah reading of Pinchas (Num. 25:10-30:1) begins with a teaching about a value that is not only a requirement for Jewish....
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Jul 18
An Open Letter to Alan Dershowitz
Dear Professor Dershowitz:
Since you are both a legal and theological scholar, I am confident that you are familiar with....
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Jul 14
Torah Talk - Balak: Selling Curses and Buying Blessings
This week’s Torah portion of Balak (Num. 22:2-25:9) is in some ways one of the most fun and outrageous readings in the Torah...
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Jul 13
Jewish institutions must not give up their Jewish names
"Diversity is not about making everybody the same, but about creating a rainbow of different traditions and cultures".
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Jul 7
Chukat: Because I Say So
“This is the decree [chukat] of the Torah” (Numbers 19:2).
Isn’t it amazing how, as we get older, our parents seem to become wise?
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Jul 6
Why Did the Highland Park Shooter Target a Jewish Neighborhood?
We are all aware of the terrible shooting that occurred while celebrating America’s independence in Highland Park
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Jul 1
Korah: True Leadership
The following teaching is in memory and honor of the founding leaders of this nation.
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Jun 23
Shlach: Faith, Fear, and Spies
I’ve always held the belief that if three or more diverse cultures have the same teaching, that teaching may be worthwhile and worth...
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Jun 16
Beha'alotecha: The Power of Words...
Wherever we go in today’s society, we are bombarded by ads about what we should and should not be putting in our mouths.