top of page
Search
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_f6cb75ccf5604584978cf717847bdcbd~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_f6cb75ccf5604584978cf717847bdcbd~mv2.webp)
![Balak: Selling Curses and Buying Blessings](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_f6cb75ccf5604584978cf717847bdcbd~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_f6cb75ccf5604584978cf717847bdcbd~mv2.webp)
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jul 19, 20246 min read
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_bc0f3e138b6c47e8a030075bb628fce7~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_bc0f3e138b6c47e8a030075bb628fce7~mv2.webp)
![Memorial Day is a Jewish Holiday Too](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_bc0f3e138b6c47e8a030075bb628fce7~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_bc0f3e138b6c47e8a030075bb628fce7~mv2.webp)
Rabbi Michael Barclay
May 29, 20233 min read
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.
0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_1a144059ab2f49b09aaf9abff3eff498~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_1a144059ab2f49b09aaf9abff3eff498~mv2.webp)
![V’zot Ha’Berakhah: The Deeper Blessing of the Torah](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_1a144059ab2f49b09aaf9abff3eff498~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_1a144059ab2f49b09aaf9abff3eff498~mv2.webp)
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Oct 14, 20224 min read
V’zot Ha’Berakhah: The Deeper Blessing of the Torah
Never again did there arise in Israel a prophet like Moses...
0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_af149ebfc4ca4a6bacc91195af252821~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_af149ebfc4ca4a6bacc91195af252821~mv2.webp)
![Vayelech - Strength & Courage in the Face of Loss](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_af149ebfc4ca4a6bacc91195af252821~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_af149ebfc4ca4a6bacc91195af252821~mv2.webp)
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_0a2673d12d514bd2b04a6a3a98248859~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_0a2673d12d514bd2b04a6a3a98248859~mv2.webp)
![Netzavim: Holy Thresholds](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_0a2673d12d514bd2b04a6a3a98248859~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_0a2673d12d514bd2b04a6a3a98248859~mv2.webp)
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_26bd4a7f0d5e49af92612575bb435c24~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_26bd4a7f0d5e49af92612575bb435c24~mv2.webp)
![Ki Tavo - Honoring the Past and Entering the Future](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_26bd4a7f0d5e49af92612575bb435c24~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_26bd4a7f0d5e49af92612575bb435c24~mv2.webp)
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_35f94d6c980d478a97e30eeaaf1cbe7a~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_35f94d6c980d478a97e30eeaaf1cbe7a~mv2.webp)
![Shoftim: Pursuing True Justice](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_35f94d6c980d478a97e30eeaaf1cbe7a~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_35f94d6c980d478a97e30eeaaf1cbe7a~mv2.webp)
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_d42c8f1ac2bb4f57bd542ee30f64e321~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_d42c8f1ac2bb4f57bd542ee30f64e321~mv2.webp)
![V’etchanan: Never Forget](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_d42c8f1ac2bb4f57bd542ee30f64e321~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_d42c8f1ac2bb4f57bd542ee30f64e321~mv2.webp)
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_d955a08591a6488782a9f207bc65bb5e~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_d955a08591a6488782a9f207bc65bb5e~mv2.webp)
![Devarim: Darkness Will Become Light](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_d955a08591a6488782a9f207bc65bb5e~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_d955a08591a6488782a9f207bc65bb5e~mv2.webp)
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_a3bf3a19fead48f29a7457bdaaaa9cf1~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_a3bf3a19fead48f29a7457bdaaaa9cf1~mv2.webp)
![Matot/Masei: Our Word is Our Bond](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_a3bf3a19fead48f29a7457bdaaaa9cf1~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_a3bf3a19fead48f29a7457bdaaaa9cf1~mv2.webp)
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_70338b563c09415298642d4e7ab6b1fc~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_70338b563c09415298642d4e7ab6b1fc~mv2.webp)
![Pinchas, Passion, and a Hope for the Future](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_70338b563c09415298642d4e7ab6b1fc~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_70338b563c09415298642d4e7ab6b1fc~mv2.webp)
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_514553f867a84b37989bff99fde35cd0~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_514553f867a84b37989bff99fde35cd0~mv2.webp)
![Torah Talk - Balak: Selling Curses and Buying Blessings](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_514553f867a84b37989bff99fde35cd0~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_514553f867a84b37989bff99fde35cd0~mv2.webp)
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_486d3c5c08504eb2a2ee58968151be96~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_486d3c5c08504eb2a2ee58968151be96~mv2.webp)
![Chukat: Because I Say So](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_486d3c5c08504eb2a2ee58968151be96~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_486d3c5c08504eb2a2ee58968151be96~mv2.webp)
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_bde0165008064369bba2ba049bdd189e~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_bde0165008064369bba2ba049bdd189e~mv2.webp)
![Korah: True Leadership](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_bde0165008064369bba2ba049bdd189e~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_bde0165008064369bba2ba049bdd189e~mv2.webp)
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_a722f3f80afd4d4c8171751300e68d66~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_a722f3f80afd4d4c8171751300e68d66~mv2.webp)
![Shlach: Faith, Fear, and Spies](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_a722f3f80afd4d4c8171751300e68d66~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_a722f3f80afd4d4c8171751300e68d66~mv2.webp)
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_ff6027a9bee74e94b5dde443472e5762~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_ff6027a9bee74e94b5dde443472e5762~mv2.webp)
![Beha'alotecha: The Power of Words...](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_ff6027a9bee74e94b5dde443472e5762~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_ff6027a9bee74e94b5dde443472e5762~mv2.webp)
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
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_96e9245a992b41969827006b22d4af94~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_96e9245a992b41969827006b22d4af94~mv2.webp)
![Torah Talk - Nasso: Fathers & Sons](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_96e9245a992b41969827006b22d4af94~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_96e9245a992b41969827006b22d4af94~mv2.webp)
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jun 9, 20222 min read
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...
0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_faf0ec81948b4a74bcd0a1eb5310d628~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_faf0ec81948b4a74bcd0a1eb5310d628~mv2.webp)
![Memorial Day is a Jewish Holiday Too](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_faf0ec81948b4a74bcd0a1eb5310d628~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_faf0ec81948b4a74bcd0a1eb5310d628~mv2.webp)
Rabbi Michael Barclay
May 26, 20223 min read
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....
0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_ed5e8113f6ff48739cbbdda826437fe3~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_ed5e8113f6ff48739cbbdda826437fe3~mv2.webp)
![Behar: Resting for Success](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_ed5e8113f6ff48739cbbdda826437fe3~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_ed5e8113f6ff48739cbbdda826437fe3~mv2.webp)
Rabbi Michael Barclay
May 19, 20224 min read
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.
0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_d954bca15aca40b78eb642a856334c9a~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/81f50a_d954bca15aca40b78eb642a856334c9a~mv2.webp)
![Emor: Ethical Leadership Through Service](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/81f50a_d954bca15aca40b78eb642a856334c9a~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/81f50a_d954bca15aca40b78eb642a856334c9a~mv2.webp)
Rabbi Michael Barclay
May 12, 20225 min read
Emor: Ethical Leadership Through Service
This week’s commentary is dedicated to the memory of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai...
0 comments
bottom of page