Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel is spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista, California.
His books, available on Amazon, include:
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — The theology of Rabbi Shneir Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812) raises some fascinating questions about the nature of creatio ex nihilo—creation out of nothing. How can the theologian refer to God as “nothing,” when God is the totality of all things and infinitely more? He answers that […]
God is for be-living, not just believing Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California–This week, the Supreme Court made a very interesting decision and ruled that it’s unconstitutional to sentence a juvenile to life without the possibility of parole for the crime of murder. The original case involved the robbery and murder of Cole Cannon. Two young thugs, Evan Miller and
Supreme Court moderates a severe decree Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USABy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel There are a number of books that have been recently written concerning the weekly Torah portion. Some are better than others. I am recommending the books according to a four-star rating. The Lion Cub of Prague: Thought Kabbala, Hashkafa from Gur Aryeh—The Maharal of Prague by Dr. Moshe David Kuhr; Gefen
Rating four new books on Torah Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –When George Orwell wrote his famous 1984, I doubt even he could have anticipated Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposal to ban large supersized beverages in New York’s food service restaurants and establishments. Obesity is certainly a problem for young people, but is it correct to assume that it’s
Bloomberg has a super-sized bad idea Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USABy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — I love reading stories about real heroes in the world. No, they may not have great physiques like Batman or Superman; nor are they bulletproof, nor do they possess super-human powers or strength. In fact they look like ordinary people. A Hassidic Rebbe once said, “Why
2 prosecutors geographically and morally a world apart Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USABy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California–Recently someone asked me, “Does Judaism have any thoughts on the Wikileaks fiasco? Where does freedom of the press and the public’s right to know become a security threat, or worse, in Jewish thought?” This issue is not only concerned with the arrest and trial of Julian Asange;
What does Judaism say about leaking confidential information? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Talmudic wisdom urges us to be circumspect with our behavior as a community when a tragedy strikes home. Because of our collective and corporate sense of identity, we are all responsible for the moral condition of our communities. This idea can be seen in one of
Requiem for a friend, John Smithson Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –The life of a spiritual leader is never easy—especially if you happen to be a man named Moses. Kvetching comes with the territory of working for a Jewish community. It’s a tradition. I am reminded of the old joke, “How many congregants does it take to screw
Torah’s stand against racism is relevant for today Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Martin Buber told the following story: Once the Baal Shem Tov stopped on the threshold of a House of Prayer and refused to go in. “I cannot go in,” he said. “It is crowded with teachings and prayers from wall to wall and from floor to
Prayer simply doesn’t work in the third person Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiThe Biblical Outlook: Topics in Jewish Philosophy by Rabbi Shlomo Polachek; Penina Press, Jerusalem, 2012; ISBN-10: 1936068273; 463 pages. $29.95. By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — The concept the author wishes to present is an important one. He wishes to show the various strands of biblical passages that can be used by a
Book on biblical philosophy needs better sources Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — For over the last 2,300 years, the subject of circumcision has always been controversial. When one considers the latest attempts to ban circumcision, one can see the subject will continue to awaken strong emotions in people—Jews and non-Jews alike. Freudian analysis would probably suggest that the
Circumcision has psychological, medical, and spiritual aspects Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — When one takes a gaze at the Jewish horizon, one gets the distinct impression that many synagogues find themselves confronted by a spiritual problem they can scarcely understand—much less articulate: Irrelevance. Judaism may someday die—not by genocides—but by apathy. Yes, as rabbis we love to sermonize
Recovering Jewish spirituality Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –A question came up recently in my congregation regarding the use of music at a Jewish funeral. The Reform Movement has long permitted the use of music at a Jewish funeral—provided the music does not derive from the Christian liturgy, e.g., Amazing Grace. Most Conservative and all
Is music at a funeral kosher? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi-Staff Report- Kurt Sax, 89, a former president of Temple Beth Sholom in Chula Vista who had been in ill health since his first stroke six years ago, died Friday, May 11 at La Jolla Nursing and Rehabilitation, after celebrating Shabbat for the last time. His daughter Sandi had helped him on with his
Kurt Sax, 89, makes a final visit to Temple Beth Sholom Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego County