Michael Barclay
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
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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 12, 2021
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 ....
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 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)
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 ....
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....
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).....
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 .....
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 ....
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, ........
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,....
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.
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