Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel is spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista, California.
His books, available on Amazon, include:
*A Shepherd’s Song
*Gentle Judaic Wisdom for a Troubled World
*Maimonides Hidden Torah Commentaries: Genesis 1-21
*Maimonides Hidden Torah Commentaries: Genesis: 22-50
*Rediscovering Philo of Alexandria: A First Century Torah Commentator (Vol 1): Genesis
*Rediscovering Philo of Alexandria: A First Century Torah Commentator (Vol 2): Exodus
*Rediscovering Philo of Alexandria: A First Century Torah Commentator (Vol 3) Leviticus
*Rediscovering Philo of Alexandria: A First Century Torah Commentator(Vol 4) Numbers
*Rediscovering Philo of Alexandria: A First Century Torah Commentator (Vol 5) Deuteronomy
The painful irony of the Jewish allegiance to progressive causes is that it has occasionally been reciprocated with betrayal, as some factions within these movements have fostered prejudicial narratives against Israel. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]
Shedding Our Illusions Read More »
Holocaust, Israel, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, USABy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — The heinous events of October 7 in Israel are difficult to reconcile with the modern world’s ethos. After World War II, many believed that the atrocities faced by Jewish communities were behind them and that such darkness would not be revisited upon them. Yet, as Mark
The Culture of Biophilia vs. the Culture of Necrophilia Read More »
Israel, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, OpinionIn a recent development, several prominent CEOs have declared an intention not to employ Harvard University students who solely attribute the ongoing devastation in the Gaza and Israel conflict to Israel. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]
Harvard Students Embarrass Themselves with Pro-Hamas Rhetoric Read More »
Israel, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USAHitler’s fanaticism and the legacy of his henchmen in implementing his “Final Solution” against the Jews cannot begin to compare with the Islamic fanaticism of Hamas. Unlike the Nazis, who did their best to conceal their genocidal crimes against the Jews, the followers of Hamas take immense pride in carrying out their acts of mayhem against the Jew, as we saw in the recent October 7th attack against the Jews on Shabbat and during the holiday of Simchat Torah. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]
Hamas Merged Nazi and Islamist Ideologies Read More »
Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Socrates is famous for saying, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” If Socrates had a preferred Jewish holiday, I believe it would undoubtedly be Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. These holidays offer us an opportunity to reflect, review, and reconsider who we are, what we’ve
Rosh Hashanah: What Does it Mean to be Human? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, OpinionThe question of turkey’s status as a permitted (kosher) bird is a topic that comes up every Thanksgiving holiday season. Nevertheless, many Orthodox Jews I personally know will never eat turkey since there is no tradition permitting it. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
How Thanksgiving Turkey Became Kosher—For Some Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiGiven our sophistication, what relevance does the birthday of man and creation have to do with scientific reality? Who are we fooling? What message might this holiday have for us as we enter the next millennia? How can you seriously believe that Adam and Eve were the first people ever to live on the earth? Or that “God made the world in just six 24-hr. days”? [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]
Science AND Religion Needed for True Understanding of the World Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
“The Holocaust: Does Judaism Believe in Gilgul? Transmigration of Souls.” By Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg; Independently published; ISBN-13: 979-8448939662; 436 pages; $24.99. By Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — The author of The Holocaust: Does Judaism Believe in Gilgul? Transmigration of Souls begins with a wonderful quote from the famed psychologist
Unpacking the Transmission of Holocaust Trauma Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Sir Winston Churchill said, “A nation that forgets its past has no future.” A remarkable story from the Talmud has profound implications for today’s times. It reads: Rava said: A person is obligated to become intoxicated with wine on Purim until one does not know
Talmudic Wisdom for a Troubled Middle East Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Opinion, USABy Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has demonstrated a talent for adding fuel to an already combustive situation. He accused conservative Jewish members of the Canadian Parliament of supporting the swastika. One Jewish member happened to be Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman, who became the first Jewish
Moral Resolve Needed in Justin Trudeau Swastika Controversy Read More »
Holocaust, International, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, OpinionBy Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel “The View” featured a discussion about a Tennessee School District’s decision to remove a Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel about the Holocaust from its middle school curriculum. Whoopi Goldberg asserted, “The Holocaust isn’t about race. No, it’s not about race.” Goldberg made a mistake that revealed her ignorance about the
Whoopi’s Immaculate Misconception Read More »
Holocaust, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, USABy Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — There is an old joke that most rabbis probably know: From where in the Torah do we know that God is a great baseball fan? The answer is simple: Bereshit bara Elohim et hashamayim v’et ha’aretz: In the big inning, God created heaven and the
Who Should Have the Final Say on Acceptance Into the Baseball Hall of Fame? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, Sports & CompetitionsBy Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel The first proclamation of the Ten Commandments, “ I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery,” (Exod. 20:2) has puzzled Jewish scholars and philosophers for well over 2,000 years. Maimonides deduced from this passage the biblical precept
Is Belief a Commandment? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiThe Trial of Cain: A Jewish Courtroom Drama by Rabbi Dr. Dan Ornstein; Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society; © 2021; ISBN: 0827614675; 232 pages; $20.93. By Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Rabbi Dan Ornstein’s excellent book, The Trial of Cain: A Jewish Courtroom Drama, reminded me of something I once did with
Rethinking Cain’s Famed Remark, ‘Am I My Brother’s Keeper?’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi