top of page
Search
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Sep 30, 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.
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Sep 23, 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...
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Sep 16, 20223 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...
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Sep 8, 20225 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....
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Sep 2, 20223 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”?
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Aug 25, 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.
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Aug 19, 20225 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?
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Aug 11, 20224 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.
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Aug 9, 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.
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Aug 4, 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…
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jul 28, 20224 min read
Matot/Masei: Our Word is Our Bond
As discussed earlier, although there are 54 Torah portions, there are only 50 or 51 Shabbats per year, and that doesn’t count those Shabbats
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jul 21, 20225 min read
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....
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jul 17, 20223 min read
An Open Letter to Alan Dershowitz
Dear Professor Dershowitz:
Since you are both a legal and theological scholar, I am confident that you are familiar with....
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jul 14, 20226 min read
Torah Talk - Balak: Selling Curses and Buying Blessings
This week’s Torah portion of Balak (Num. 22:2-25:9) is in some ways one of the most fun and outrageous readings in the Torah...
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jul 13, 20224 min read
Jewish institutions must not give up their Jewish names
"Diversity is not about making everybody the same, but about creating a rainbow of different traditions and cultures".
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jul 7, 20224 min read
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?
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jul 5, 20224 min read
Why Did the Highland Park Shooter Target a Jewish Neighborhood?
We are all aware of the terrible shooting that occurred while celebrating America’s independence in Highland Park
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jul 1, 20224 min read
Korah: True Leadership
The following teaching is in memory and honor of the founding leaders of this nation.
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jun 23, 20224 min read
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...
0 comments
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jun 16, 20224 min read
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.
0 comments
bottom of page