Rabbi Michael Barclay
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".
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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?
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
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.
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...
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.
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...
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....
Rabbi Michael Barclay
May 19, 20223 min read
A Big Mazal Tov to Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone!
It is the right, privilege, and moral obligation for political leaders of this nation to serve the citizens of the United States....
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.
Rabbi Michael Barclay
May 11, 20227 min read
Abortion: A Jewish Perspective on a Passionate Issue
With a subject like abortion, where people are easily controlled by their passions, it becomes easy to base our opinions on what we “feel”..
Rabbi Michael Barclay
May 9, 20223 min read
Social Justice Warriors Silent After Lufthansa Boots Over 100 Jews From Flight
For those who still live in a world of pink unicorns and think that there is no longer mainstream hate and anti-Semitism, I suggest that....
Rabbi Michael Barclay
May 5, 20223 min read
Kedoshim: To Bring Holiness Into the World
Often called “the holiness code”, this week’s Torah reading is, in some ways, the very essence of Judaism.
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Apr 28, 20222 min read
Rabbi Barclay Torah Commentary in The Jewish Journal
And Aaron shall place lots upon the two he goats: one lot “For the Lord,” and the other lot, “For Azazel.”
–Lev. 16:8
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Apr 7, 20224 min read
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 31, 20225 min read
Tazria: The Leprosy of Gossip
“Life and Death are in the Hands of the Tongue” (Proverbs 18:21)
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Mar 24, 20226 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
Mar 10, 20223 min read
VaYikra - To Answer the Call
This week’s Torah reading are the first chapters of the Book of Leviticus…
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Mar 3, 20225 min read
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, 20225 min read
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...
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