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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.

Rabbi Michael Barclay
May 5, 20223 min read


Shabbat HaGadol: A Time of Faith, Action, and Community
The Shabbat immediately preceding Passover is called “Shabbat HaGadol”, “the big Sabbath”.

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Apr 7, 20224 min read


Tazria: The Leprosy of Gossip
“Life and Death are in the Hands of the Tongue” (Proverbs 18:21)

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Mar 31, 20225 min read


Shemini: We Are What We Eat
I once heard an eager student ask Rabbi Ronnie Serr how he should go about becoming more observant.

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Mar 24, 20226 min read


VaYikra - To Answer the Call
This week’s Torah reading are the first chapters of the Book of Leviticus…

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Mar 10, 20223 min read


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...

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Mar 3, 20225 min read


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...

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Feb 25, 20225 min read


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...

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Feb 17, 20225 min read


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...

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Feb 11, 20223 min read


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.

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Feb 4, 20224 min read


Mishpatim: Surrendering to Our True Selves
In the “Ahavat Olam” prayer chanted before the recitation of the Shema, we thank God for “laws and statutes” (chukim u’mishpatim).

Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jan 28, 20226 min read
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