Rabbi Michael Barclay
Tazria-Metzora: The Leprosy of Gossip
As we come off of Passover and prepare for the upcoming spiritual revelation at Mt. Sinai of the Shavuot Holiday, the teachings found ....
top of page
Search
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Apr 9, 20215 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
Apr 2, 20214 min read
Passover: The Marriage Beyond the Wedding
With the anticipated opening up of businesses in California, I am gratefully getting a plethora of calls from young couples who have been...
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Mar 26, 20216 min read
Tzav - Commandments, Pogroms, Passover, & Giving
In 1144 in Norwich, England the first of the ancient blood libels took place: a horror against Jews that has been perpetuated for almost...
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Mar 19, 20212 min read
VaYikra - To Answer the Call
This week’s Torah reading are the first chapters of the Book of Leviticus…but that’s not the name of the book!
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Mar 12, 20214 min read
Vayakhel/Pekudei: 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
Mar 5, 20215 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...
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Feb 25, 20217 min read
Purim - A Jewish Path for Addiction Recovery
“All the Festivals will be annulled in future time except for Purim” Midrash Mishlei 9:2
What a seemingly strange comment we find above....
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Feb 19, 20214 min read
Shabbat Zachor - The Real War
This Shabbat is a “special” Shabbat called Shabbat Zachor, in which we recount the tale of Amalek (the leader of a nation of enemies....
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Feb 12, 20215 min read
Mishpatim - Surrendering to Our True Selves
This teaching is in honor and in memory of Avi Gross-Schaefer z”l, may his memory be a blessing and may his family always be comforted ...
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Feb 4, 20216 min read
Yitro - The Real Tzaddikim Hidden in plain Sight
There is a story that there was once a successful businessman who was part of and a large contributor to the community of the Baal Shem Tov.
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jan 29, 20215 min read
Beshalach - Peace & Respect over Victory & Destruction
The Torah portion this week has so many teachings and powerful images that it is difficult to discuss just one.
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jan 22, 20215 min read
Bo – Ivri Anochi! I am a Jew!
God’s actions are often inexplicable, but in this week’s Torah reading of “Bo” (Ex. 10:1-13:16)
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jan 8, 20216 min read
Shemot – Act With Kindness and Courage in All Times
This week’s Torah portion, entitled “Shemot” (Meaning “Names” as it starts out with the names of the Hebrews who were in Egypt)....
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Dec 18, 20205 min read
Mikeitz - A Dream Uninterpreted is like a Letter left Unopened
This week’s Torah portion of Mikeitz is special on so many levels, not the least of which is that it nearly always (98% of the time)....
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Nov 20, 20203 min read
Toldot - Teach Our Children Well
As I am the father of twin sons, this week’s Torah portion of Toldot, where we learn of the birth of twins Jacob and Esau, has a special....
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Oct 26, 20206 min read
Should Jews Celebrate Halloween?
As we all know, these are challenging times on many levels. On the one hand, it is difficult for people to stay connected to any.....
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Oct 15, 20204 min read
Bereshit: Beginning Again
It happens every year. People come to services for Rosh HaShana, and remember how meaningful Judaism can be in their lives.
bottom of page