Michael Barclay
Vayetzei: Angels & Dreams
“A dream which is not interpreted is like a letter which is not read”
(Bavli, Berachot 55a)
This week’s Torah reading begins with ....
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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....
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Michael Barclay
Oct 28, 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)
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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 .....
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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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Michael Barclay
Oct 1, 2021
Bereshit: The Kabbalah of Withdrawing in Order to Create
The seasons rotate, day and night follow each other, and the Torah ends and begins again with a new reading of what we study each year....
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Michael Barclay
Sep 24, 2021
Sukkot and Beyond: Manifesting Our Dreams Into Reality
We all know that Sukkot, which began last Monday night is such an important holiday on so many levels. But many Jews (including Rabbis).....
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Michael Barclay
Sep 18, 2021
Sukkot: Experiencing Wisdom Through Joy!
Someone once said, “Being Jewish is about being in love with Sukkot”. This is a truer statement than most 21st century Jews recognize .....
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Michael Barclay
Sep 10, 2021
Vayelech - Strength & Courage in the Face of Loss
This commentary is written in memory of those who died twenty years ago on 9/11/2001, and in faith for a time of peace for us and those ....
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Michael Barclay
Sep 3, 2021
Natzavim - 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, ........
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Michael Barclay
Aug 27, 2021
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...
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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”?
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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.
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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...
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Michael Barclay
May 12, 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...
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