Rabbi Michael Barclay
V’zot Ha’Berakhah: The Deeper Blessing of the Torah
Never again did there arise in Israel a prophet like Moses...
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Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Sep 30, 2022
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 23, 2022
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, 2022
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, 2022
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
- Aug 25, 2022
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
- Jul 21, 2022
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 7, 2022
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
- Jun 23, 2022
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, 2022
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.
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Jun 9, 2022
Torah Talk - Nasso: Fathers & Sons
My life changed when my sons were born. When I heard the mohel call their names, I heard myself called as the father to sons rather than...
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- May 26, 2022
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. In response to that, 63....
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- May 19, 2022
Behar: Resting for Success
This week’s Torah portion of Behar (Lev. 25:1-26:2) focuses almost entirely on the importance of the Sabbath.
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- May 12, 2022
Emor: Ethical Leadership Through Service
This week’s commentary is dedicated to the memory of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai...
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Apr 7, 2022
Shabbat HaGadol: A Time of Faith, Action, and Community
The Shabbat immediately preceding Passover is called “Shabbat HaGadol”, “the big Sabbath”.
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Mar 24, 2022
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 10, 2022
VaYikra - To Answer the Call
This week’s Torah reading are the first chapters of the Book of Leviticus…
Rabbi Michael Barclay
- Mar 3, 2022
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
- Feb 25, 2022
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 17, 2022
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...
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