Michael Barclay
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”
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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 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
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.
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
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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