Rabbi Michael Barclay

  • Home

  • About

  • Sacred Relationships

  • Rabbi's Teachings

  • Rabbi Barclay in the Community

  • Contact Rabbi Barclay

  • More

    Use tab to navigate through the menu items.
    • All Posts
    • Torah Talk
    • Articles by Rabbi Barclay
    • Articles about Rabbi Barclay
    Search
    Emor: Ethical Leadership Through Service
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • 4 days ago

    Emor: Ethical Leadership Through Service

    This week’s commentary is dedicated to the memory of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai...
    0 comments
    Abortion: A Jewish Perspective on a Passionate Issue
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • 4 days ago

    Abortion: A Jewish Perspective on a Passionate Issue

    With a subject like abortion, where people are easily controlled by their passions, it becomes easy to base our opinions on what we “feel”..
    0 comments
    Social Justice Warriors Silent After Lufthansa Boots Over 100 Jews From Flight
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • 6 days ago

    Social Justice Warriors Silent After Lufthansa Boots Over 100 Jews From Flight

    For 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....
    0 comments
    Kedoshim: To Bring Holiness Into the World
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • May 6

    Kedoshim: To Bring Holiness Into the World

    Often called “the holiness code”, this week’s Torah reading is, in some ways, the very essence of Judaism.
    0 comments
    Nazi Comparisons
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • Apr 30

    Nazi Comparisons

    A criminal is wrongfully killed, and “peaceful demonstrations,” which are actually violent riots, break out nationwide.
    0 comments
    Rabbi Barclay Torah Commentary in The Jewish Journal
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • Apr 29

    Rabbi Barclay Torah Commentary in The Jewish Journal

    And Aaron shall place lots upon the two he goats: one lot “For the Lord,” and the other lot, “For Azazel.” –Lev. 16:8
    0 comments
    Achrei/Mot: Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • Apr 22

    Achrei/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...
    0 comments
    A Holy Passover
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • Apr 15

    A Holy Passover

    As we prepare for the Passover Seder, it is easy to learn so many hidden secrets and Kabbalistic understandings that we lose track of....
    0 comments
    Shabbat HaGadol: A Time of Faith, Action, and Community
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • Apr 8

    Shabbat HaGadol: A Time of Faith, Action, and Community

    The Shabbat immediately preceding Passover is called “Shabbat HaGadol”, “the big Sabbath”.
    0 comments
    Tazria: The Leprosy of Gossip
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • Apr 1

    Tazria: The Leprosy of Gossip

    “Life and Death are in the Hands of the Tongue” (Proverbs 18:21)
    0 comments
    Shemini: We Are What We Eat
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • Mar 25

    Shemini: We Are What We Eat

    I once heard an eager student ask Rabbi Ronnie Serr how he should go about becoming more observant.
    0 comments
    Purim & St. Patty’s Day
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • Mar 17

    Purim & St. Patty’s Day

    On the eve of March 16, Jews around the world begin the celebration of Purim....
    0 comments
    Purim – A Jewish Path for Addiction Recovery
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • Mar 15

    Purim – A Jewish Path for Addiction Recovery

    All the Festivals will be annulled in future time except for Purim” Midrash Mishlei 9:2
    0 comments
    VaYikra - To Answer the Call
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • Mar 11

    VaYikra - To Answer the Call

    This week’s Torah reading are the first chapters of the Book of Leviticus…
    0 comments
    Pekudei: Eternal Change Through Physical Shifts
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • Mar 4

    Pekudei: Eternal Change Through Physical Shifts

    In this final reading in the Book of Exodus, there are two important biblical concepts that are as important today as they were over 3000...
    0 comments
    Vayakhel: Building a Holy Community on Individual Effort
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • Feb 25

    Vayakhel: 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...
    0 comments
    We Must Save Our Nation From Elitist Authoritarians
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • Feb 23

    We Must Save Our Nation From Elitist Authoritarians

    To truly lead, one must serve. This concept is an accepted foundation of all good leaders, be they political, business, or religious.
    0 comments
    Ki Tisa: Stepping Towards Forgiveness
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • Feb 18

    Ki Tisa: Stepping Towards Forgiveness

    Idolatry. Sexual immorality. Murder. The description of the events of the Golden Calf in this week’s portion sound like the outline for...
    0 comments
    Tetzaveh: To Divine From the Heart
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • Feb 11

    Tetzaveh: To Divine From the Heart

    The Urim and Thummim are something that is rarely discussed in the Reform Jewish world, although they have great importance both...
    0 comments
    Terumah: How To Give a Gift
    Rabbi Michael Barclay
    • Feb 4

    Terumah: How To Give a Gift

    The first two lines of this Torah reading teach a valuable lesson we all need to remember in personal relationships: how to give a gift.
    0 comments
    1
    2345
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    Rabbi Barclay is the Spiritual Leader of 

    Temple Ner Simcha

    Westlake Village, California

    ©2022 by Rabbi Michael Barclay