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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.
Michael Barclay
May 29, 2023
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V’zot Ha’Berakhah: The Deeper Blessing of the Torah
Never again did there arise in Israel a prophet like Moses...
Michael Barclay
Oct 14, 2022
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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.
Michael Barclay
Sep 30, 2022
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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...
Michael Barclay
Sep 23, 2022
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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....
Michael Barclay
Sep 16, 2022
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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....
Michael Barclay
Sep 8, 2022
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Shoftim - Pursuing True Justice
Have you ever wondered how it can be true that “two Jews equals three opinions, four rabbis, and five synagogues”?
Michael Barclay
Sep 2, 2022
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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.
Michael Barclay
Aug 25, 2022
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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?
Michael Barclay
Aug 19, 2022
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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.
Michael Barclay
Aug 11, 2022
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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…
Michael Barclay
Aug 4, 2022
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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
Michael Barclay
Jul 28, 2022
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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....
Michael Barclay
Jul 21, 2022
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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...
Michael Barclay
Jul 14, 2022
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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".
Michael Barclay
Jul 13, 2022
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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?
Michael Barclay
Jul 7, 2022
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Korah: True Leadership
The following teaching is in memory and honor of the founding leaders of this nation.
Michael Barclay
Jul 1, 2022
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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...
Michael Barclay
Jun 23, 2022
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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.
Michael Barclay
Jun 16, 2022
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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 ...
Michael Barclay
Jun 9, 2022
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