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'Palestine' does not exist, except as code for genocide
The war in Israel seems to be filled with misconceptions about its complexity as there are so many moving pieces, so much misinformation,

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Dec 5, 202310 min read


Why Counter-Protests Are Counter-Productive
I am the Rabbi in Westlake Village, Calif., where the Paul Kessler tragedy recently happened.

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Nov 22, 20235 min read


On Remembering Paul Kessler and Centering the Community
After reviewing over 600 pieces of evidence, interviewing over 60 witnesses, and spending over 2000 man hours...

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Nov 18, 20234 min read


A Serious Invitation to Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson
I am rarely shocked anymore, but I am beyond shocked at what I saw and heard in an exchange between Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens.

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Nov 16, 20238 min read


There is no such thing as 'Palestine,' except in the minds of terrorists
This past week, I was on a number of shows talking about the horrible tragedy of Paul Kessler’s death at a pro-palestinian rally.

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Nov 13, 20233 min read


Groomers, BLM, and the ADL: Methinks Thou Doth Protest Too Much
It is a psychological truth that people often “project” on to others what they are actually feeling or doing.

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Sep 7, 20233 min read


The Storm and it's Spiritual Teachings
Chevre:
We can all see the shift in weather this morning as tropical storm Hilary starts to affect California.

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Aug 20, 20234 min read


Memorial Day is a Jewish Holiday Too
In the 1890s, Mark Twain wrote an article about how Jews did not serve in the military of the United States.

Rabbi Michael Barclay
May 29, 20233 min read


When Houses of Worship Lose their Way
Why do we actually have synagogues or churches, what are their purposes, and what is antithetical to those actual purposes?

Rabbi Michael Barclay
May 21, 20236 min read


V’zot Ha’Berakhah: The Deeper Blessing of the Torah
Never again did there arise in Israel a prophet like Moses...

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Oct 14, 20224 min read


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.

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Sep 30, 20224 min read


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 23, 20224 min read


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 16, 20223 min read


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 8, 20225 min read


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
Sep 2, 20223 min read


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 25, 20223 min read


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 19, 20225 min read


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 11, 20224 min read


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 10, 20224 min read


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
Aug 4, 20224 min read
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