Rabbi Michael Barclay
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 for...
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Rabbi Michael Barclay
Feb 11, 20223 min read
Tetzaveh: To Divine From the Heart
The Urim and Thummim are something that is rarely discussed in the Reform Jewish world, although they have great importance both...
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Feb 4, 20224 min read
Terumah: How To Give a Gift
The first two lines of this Torah reading teach a valuable lesson we all need to remember in personal relationships: how to give a gift.
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jan 28, 20226 min read
Mishpatim: Surrendering to Our True Selves
In the “Ahavat Olam” prayer chanted before the recitation of the Shema, we thank God for “laws and statutes” (chukim u’mishpatim).
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jan 25, 20224 min read
Is Robert Kennedy Jr. Right?
Robert Kennedy Jr. has recently been taken to task in the media and by many Jewish organizations for supposedly comparing the Holocaust ...
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jan 20, 20224 min read
Yitro: The Ultimate Wedding
“I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved is mine” ---Song of Songs 6:3
For months and sometimes even years we prepare for our wedding day.
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jan 17, 20224 min read
Wolves and Sheepdogs in Colleyville
When I was ordained as a Rabbi, a speaker told our graduating class that we were now all “officers in God’s army.”
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jan 14, 20224 min read
B’Shalach: To Seek Not Victory, But Peace
This week’s Torah portion contains one of the most powerful, and ethically challenging teachings in the Torah as the Hebrews cross...
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jan 6, 20223 min read
Bo: Divine Partnership
The story in this week’s portion is as recognizable as any in the entire Torah. Discussed at the Passover seder, it begins with Moses.....
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Dec 31, 20216 min read
Vaera: Change is Coming, and It Will be a Blessing
I constantly remind people of the power of the teaching of both the RaMBaM and the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who said that we could look through...
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Aug 20, 20216 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....
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Aug 12, 20213 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”?
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Aug 5, 20213 min read
Elul: A Time to Prepare for Intimacy
On September 6th Jews around the world will begin observing the holiday of Rosh HaShanah and the Ten Days of Awe.
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jul 29, 20214 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?
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jul 15, 20214 min read
Tisha b’Av: Turning Darkness Into Light
This Saturday night begins the holy day of Tisha b’Av, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av…the saddest day in the Jewish calendar.
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jul 8, 20214 min read
Matot/Masei: Our Word is Our Bond
Although there are 54 Torah portions, there are only 50 or 51 Shabbats per year, and that doesn’t count those Shabbats that have special...
Rabbi Michael Barclay
Jul 4, 20216 min read
Happy 4th of July
As we celebrate this wonderful holiday and the beauty of the summer here in the Conejo Valley, we need to remember how the values of our...
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
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.
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