Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi

By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Historically, the holiday of Hanukkah is a relatively minor holiday when compared to holidays like Passover or Yom Kippur, or the Sabbath. Nevertheless, its significance should not be under-appreciated. I realize many Jews try to make more out of the Hanukkah holiday in order to make […]

By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — There is a famous legend about Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (135-170 C.E.) who once expressed a disparaging opinion about the Roman Empire and its cultural depravity. Afterwards, the Roman authorities decided to have him arrested for disrespecting the Empire. Rabbi Shimon and his son soon hid

By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel  CHULA VISTA, California — In New York, there was a fascinating news story the other day. On Nov. 29th, 2012, nobody got murdered or mugged in the streets of New York. New York newspapers said this was very unusual. Now, Chicago is an altogether different kind of town. Crime is

First in a series By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –Natural catastrophes such as a floods or earthquakes are frequently referred to as an “act of God.” A deer crossing in front of a car that causes an accident is also considered an “act of God.” When “acts of God” occur, it exempts

By Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Most of you are familiar with Macbeth, which is considered to be one of the most psychologically gripping plays by Shakespeare. Macbeth tells the story about a Scottish lord named Macbeth, who chooses evil as a means of attaining power. He commits regicide to become king and

By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California —There is hardly a day that passes when I don’t marvel at the power of individuals to move mountains and change history. Abraham believed he could change and transform the world.  It is all the more remarkable, when we consider Abraham’s age. The Torah tells us that

By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Obviously Jewish survival must depend upon something more than empty sentimentalism. There must be something more than a cultural Jewish identity that finds Jewish fulfillment in bagels and lox. While many Jews live a nostalgically religious life, at least an equally large number have become ambivalent

By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Noah was a remarkable man. Just how remarkable was he? How would he compare to Abraham or to Moses? Rabbinical tradition grapples with this question. Rashi cites the midrashic text that offers an answer to our question. Two rabbinic scholars differ on how they interpret the