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 — Some anthropologists, like Mircea Eliade, argue that the biblical notion of time is essentially linear, while the Oriental notion of time is cyclical in nature. Eliade was only partially correct. The Jewish holiday cycle certainly has a strong cyclical element. If anything, Jewish concept of time […]
Jews must guard against gratuitous hatred Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Temple Beth Sholom in neighboring Chula Vista is changing its name to Temple Beth Shalom. What’s the difference between spelling the Hebrew word for peace with two o’s, or with an a and an o? Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel, spiritual leader of the Conservative congregation, said the double
From ‘Sholom’ to ‘Shalom’: Temple changes its name Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — The Aurora massacre ought to shock us out of our collective lethargy. Among the questions we are asking, we wonder: How can a young a brilliant medical student, who originally dedicated his life to helping people turn into a killing machine? What happened to his concern
Aurora tragedy shows being ‘educated’ is not enough Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USABy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel SAN DIEGO — Comic-con came to a close on Sunday in San Diego! Some of my congregation’s members love dressing up for these conventions as Ninja-Turtles or as Captain America. As a child, I loved collecting comic books. I probably would not have learned to read as quickly as I did
Let’s hear it for Jewish super-heroes! Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego CalendarBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — How many times have we heard it before? Haredi rabbis are going to great lengths to prove a point. They have no intention of giving up their Torah study to serve in the Israeli army. Tens of thousands of Israelis protested and demand that the
Should the Haredi serve in the military or stay in a yeshiva? Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –Since our ancestors have not always treated one another respectfully or tolerantly, I thought I would focus on a sensible theme for this time of the year. Our lesson begins with a passage from the Talmud: Tolerance begins with respecting our neighbor. The Talmud relates the following story: “A
Shammai vs. Hillel all over again Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Since the end of the Second World War, Germany has come a long way in rehabilitating its past legacy of Nazism. Germany has proven itself as a good friend of Israel and the Jewish people. Germany has emerged as one of the most successful democratic countries
Germany’s circumcision decision smacks of Nazism Read More »
International, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy 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-Rabbi