Michael Barclay
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,....
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Michael Barclay
- Aug 20, 2021
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
- Aug 12, 2021
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
- Aug 5, 2021
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.
Michael Barclay
- Jul 29, 2021
Eikev - Actions Lead to Consequences
“Oh, Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes-Benz?” — Janis Joplin Why don’t we always get what we want from God, and why does God even allow...
Michael Barclay
- Jul 23, 2021
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
- Jul 15, 2021
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.
Michael Barclay
- Jul 8, 2021
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...
Michael Barclay
- Jul 3, 2021
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 fo
Michael Barclay
- Jul 2, 2021
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
- Jun 24, 2021
Balak - Selling Curses and Buying Blessings
“It’s not selling out, it’s called making lots of money”---Mick Jagger This week’s Torah portion of Balak (Num. 22:2-25:9) is in some...
Michael Barclay
- Jun 17, 2021
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? It is...
Michael Barclay
- Jun 11, 2021
Korah: True Leadership
(The following teaching is in honor of the marriage of Shahab and Jessica Shaolian, may they always be blessed with all that is good in...
Michael Barclay
- May 28, 2021
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...
Michael Barclay
- May 13, 2021
The Wilderness & The Wedding
Many of our Sages from RaMBaM to Rebbe Schneerson recommended viewing current events through a filter of understanding the Torah portion...
Michael Barclay
- May 13, 2021
The Wilderness & The Wedding
Many of our Sages from RaMBaM to Rebbe Schneerson recommended viewing current events through a filter of understanding the Torah portion...
Michael Barclay
- May 7, 2021
Behar/Bechukotai: Jewish Karma
The great Russian writer Vera Nazarian once said, “A boomerang returns back to the person who throws it”. This concept of “karma” is...
Michael Barclay
- Apr 30, 2021
Emor - Ethical Leadership Through Service
Our Torah reading this week finds us deep in the Book of Leviticus; and the portion is filled with instructions and prohibitions for the...
Michael Barclay
- Apr 23, 2021
Achrei/Mot: Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
This week’s Torah reading affects every Jew in their practice of Yom Kippur, and answers the question that I often receive of, “Rabbi,...
Michael Barclay
- Apr 16, 2021
Tazria-Metzora: The Leprosy of Gossip
“Life and Death are in the Hands of the Tongue” (Proverbs 18:21) (This year, we have two portions this week: a “double portion”. There...
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