Rabbi Michael Barclay
Achrei/Mot: Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
This week’s Torah reading affects every Jew in their practice of Yom Kippur, and answers the question that I often receive of, “Rabbi, how..
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Rabbi Michael Barclay
Apr 22, 20214 min read
Achrei/Mot: Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
This week’s Torah reading affects every Jew in their practice of Yom Kippur, and answers the question that I often receive of, “Rabbi, how..
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Apr 16, 20215 min read
Tazria-Metzora: The Leprosy of Gossip
“Life and Death are in the Hands of the Tongue” (Proverbs 18:21)
(This year, we have two portions this week: a “double portion”.
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Apr 15, 20215 min read
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 ....
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Apr 10, 20215 min read
We Must Not Be Bystanders to the Anti-Semitism of Ilhan Omar and the Foreign Affairs Committee
Holocaust Studies Professor Yehuda Bauer once said, “Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator.
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 15, 20215 min read
Why Did the Grammys Give a Platform to a Known Anti-Semite?
With the “awards” season in the entertainment industry in full swing, maybe we should all get honest and call these shows what they really..
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 28, 20213 min read
Bernie Sanders: History’s Biggest Jewish Anti-Semite?
In 1144 in Norwich, England, the world was formally introduced to the concept of a “Jewish Blood Libel”; the anti-Semitic practice of .....
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 15, 20215 min read
Vaera – Learning to Be True to Our Jewish Souls
This week’s Torah reading is part of the famous story of the Ten Plagues that is recited during the Passover Seder, and includes the first..
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