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Michael Barclay
May 29, 2023
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.
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Michael Barclay
Oct 14, 2022
V’zot Ha’Berakhah: The Deeper Blessing of the Torah
Never again did there arise in Israel a prophet like Moses...
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Michael Barclay
Sep 30, 2022
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.
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Michael Barclay
Sep 23, 2022
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...
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Michael Barclay
Sep 16, 2022
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
Sep 8, 2022
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
Sep 2, 2022
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 25, 2022
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.
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Michael Barclay
Aug 18, 2022
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?
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Michael Barclay
Aug 11, 2022
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
Aug 4, 2022
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…
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Michael Barclay
Jul 28, 2022
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
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Michael Barclay
Jul 21, 2022
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....
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Michael Barclay
Jul 14, 2022
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...
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Michael Barclay
Jul 13, 2022
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".
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Michael Barclay
Jul 7, 2022
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?
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Michael Barclay
Jul 1, 2022
Korah: True Leadership
The following teaching is in memory and honor of the founding leaders of this nation.
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Michael Barclay
Jun 23, 2022
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...
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Michael Barclay
Jun 16, 2022
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.
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Michael Barclay
Jun 9, 2022
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 ...
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