Rabbi Michael Barclay
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.
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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...
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.
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...
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...
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....
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”?
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.
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.
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…
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
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....
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
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 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 12, 20225 min read
Emor: Ethical Leadership Through Service
This week’s commentary is dedicated to the memory of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai...
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”.
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