Michael Barclay
Tazria: The Leprosy of Gossip
“Life and Death are in the Hands of the Tongue” (Proverbs 18:21)
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Michael Barclay
- Mar 24, 2022
Shemini: We Are What We Eat
I once heard an eager student ask Rabbi Ronnie Serr how he should go about becoming more observant.
Michael Barclay
- Mar 3, 2022
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...
Michael Barclay
- Feb 25, 2022
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...
Michael Barclay
- Feb 11, 2022
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...
Michael Barclay
- Feb 4, 2022
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.
Michael Barclay
- Jan 28, 2022
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).
Michael Barclay
- Jan 20, 2022
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.
Michael Barclay
- Jan 6, 2022
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....
Michael Barclay
- Dec 31, 2021
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...
Michael Barclay
- Dec 23, 2021
Shemot: The Power of Women
“But the midwives feared G-d, and did not as the King of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive”
---Ex. 1:17
Michael Barclay
- Dec 17, 2021
Vayechi
When Jacob blesses his grandchildren Ephraim and Manasseh, he does not ask that God bless the boys, but rather that the “angel who redeemed”
Michael Barclay
- Dec 10, 2021
Vayigash: The Ritual that Defines a Jew
The primary ritual in Judaism is the brit milah, the circumcision that has been part of our culture since Abraham (Gen 17)...
Michael Barclay
- Dec 3, 2021
Happy Hannukah!
Happy Hannukah, Channuka, or any way that you would like to spell it! As children we often think this is an important holiday for gift ...
Michael Barclay
- Nov 26, 2021
Hidden in Plain Sight: The Secret to Happiness
“In this world, there are a few things that are unquestionably true; and often these “truths” are at the root of theologies.
Michael Barclay
- Nov 18, 2021
Vayishlach - Get Small to Get Big!
This week’s Torah portion of Vayishlach (Gen. 32:4-36:43) contains the famous scene in which our ancestor Jacob wrestles with an angel ....
Michael Barclay
- Nov 5, 2021
Toldot: Choosing to be Chosen
Toldot, the Torah reading this week is about the life of Isaac, the Patriarch who is typically talked about least, yet who is considered....
Michael Barclay
- Oct 29, 2021
Chayei Sarah - Teach Us to Count Our Days (Psalm 90:12)
“Sarah’s lifetime was one hundred years, twenty years, and seven years; the years of Sarah’s life. Sarah died” (Genesis 23:1)
Michael Barclay
- Oct 22, 2021
Vayera: The Blessings of Hospitality
This week’s Torah portion of Vayera (Gen. 18:1-22:24) has one of the most important teachings found in Judaism, or any authentic faith .....
Michael Barclay
- Oct 14, 2021
Lech L’cha: The Power and Importance of Circumcision
This week’s reading of Parsha Lech L’cha (Gen. 12:1-17:27) relates the beginning of God’s dialogue with Avraham ....
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