High Holy Days

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.

Rabbi Michael Barclay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matot/Masei: Our Word is Our Bond

Although there are 54 Torah portions, there are only 50 or 51 Shabbats per year, and that doesn’t count those Shabbats that have special...