Michael Barclay
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....
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Michael Barclay
May 19, 2022
Behar: Resting for Success
This week’s Torah portion of Behar (Lev. 25:1-26:2) focuses almost entirely on the importance of the Sabbath.
Michael Barclay
May 12, 2022
Emor: Ethical Leadership Through Service
This week’s commentary is dedicated to the memory of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai...
Michael Barclay
May 5, 2022
Kedoshim: To Bring Holiness Into the World
Often called “the holiness code”, this week’s Torah reading is, in some ways, the very essence of Judaism.
Michael Barclay
Apr 28, 2022
Rabbi Barclay Torah Commentary in The Jewish Journal
And Aaron shall place lots upon the two he goats: one lot “For the Lord,” and the other lot, “For Azazel.”
–Lev. 16:8
Michael Barclay
Apr 14, 2022
A Holy Passover
As we prepare for the Passover Seder, it is easy to learn so many hidden secrets and Kabbalistic understandings that we lose track of...
Michael Barclay
Apr 7, 2022
Shabbat HaGadol: A Time of Faith, Action, and Community
The Shabbat immediately preceding Passover is called “Shabbat HaGadol”, “the big Sabbath”.
Michael Barclay
Mar 31, 2022
Tazria: The Leprosy of Gossip
“Life and Death are in the Hands of the Tongue” (Proverbs 18:21)
Michael Barclay
Mar 24, 2022
Shemini: We Are What We Eat
I once heard an eager student ask Rabbi Ronnie Serr how he should go about becoming more observant.
Michael Barclay
Mar 10, 2022
VaYikra - To Answer the Call
This week’s Torah reading are the first chapters of the Book of Leviticus…
Michael Barclay
Mar 3, 2022
Pekudei: Eternal Change Through Physical Shifts
In this final reading in the Book of Exodus, there are two important biblical concepts that are as important today as they were over 3000...
Michael Barclay
Feb 25, 2022
Vayakhel: Building a Holy Community on Individual Effort
“Do not regard anyone with contempt, and do not reject anything, for there is no man who does not have his hour and nothing which does...
Michael Barclay
Feb 17, 2022
Ki Tisa: Stepping Towards Forgiveness
Idolatry. Sexual immorality. Murder. The description of the events of the Golden Calf in this week’s portion sound like the outline for...
Michael Barclay
Feb 11, 2022
Tetzaveh: To Divine From the Heart
The Urim and Thummim are something that is rarely discussed in the Reform Jewish world, although they have great importance both...
Michael Barclay
Feb 4, 2022
Terumah: How To Give a Gift
The first two lines of this Torah reading teach a valuable lesson we all need to remember in personal relationships: how to give a gift.
Michael Barclay
Jan 28, 2022
Mishpatim: Surrendering to Our True Selves
In the “Ahavat Olam” prayer chanted before the recitation of the Shema, we thank God for “laws and statutes” (chukim u’mishpatim).
Michael Barclay
Jan 20, 2022
Yitro: The Ultimate Wedding
“I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved is mine” ---Song of Songs 6:3
For months and sometimes even years we prepare for our wedding day.
Michael Barclay
Jan 6, 2022
Bo: Divine Partnership
The story in this week’s portion is as recognizable as any in the entire Torah. Discussed at the Passover seder, it begins with Moses....
Michael Barclay
Dec 31, 2021
Vaera: Change is Coming, and It Will be a Blessing
I constantly remind people of the power of the teaching of both the RaMBaM and the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who said that we could look through...
Michael Barclay
Dec 23, 2021
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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