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 — I have been on vacation for the greater part of this past week. While I was away, I listened carefully to the news about a variety of social and international problems I will be addressing within the next several days. As details of the Michael Brown […]
How Talmudists would assess Ferguson Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA
By Donald H. Harrison CHULA VISTA, California — Congregant Luz Guadarrama of Temple Beth Shalom baked up a surprise for Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel: a cake shaped to look like a Torah. The Conservative rabbi turns 61 on August 6th. Arlene LaGary, the president of Temple Beth Shalom, was joined by Jorge Bernal in making the
How sweet the Torah at Beth Shalom Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego CountyBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Maimonides raises a relevant question about the nature of repentance in his famous halachic tract, The Laws of Penitence, “How do we know whether a person has truly achieved repentance? If a person finds himself in the same situation where he now has the ability to
World must intervene to help M.E. Christians Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Yasser Arafat’s estate was worth almost one billion dollars by the time he had died.[1] It wasn’t because he was an enterprising capitalist. However, he did manage to take a substantial cut of money from the billions of dollars that the Western countries of Europe and
Hamas leaders get rich as Gazans suffer Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — In a recent article I had written about the war on women that is taking place in the Middle Eastern world, I had come across some quotes that were attributed to Sandra Fluke, who was allegedly interviewed by NPR. In essence, these quotes which I later
Retraction, apology, for Fluke- Boko Haram story Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, USAThe future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam—Barack Hussein Obama By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — When we look at the violence that is taking place throughout the cities of Europe, it is clear that Jihadist Islam (a.k.a. Radical Islam) is no longer an aberration. When someone
‘Moderate’ Islam no longer exists as a world force Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — By now, many of us are probably wondering: Who are the winners and losers in the Gaza conflict? The answers we shall consider, might surprise you. Some of you might think that Israel has emerged as the biggest winner. At first blush, this might seem true.
Winners and losers in the Gaza conflict Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.” —Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –Anyone following the news might wonder: Why is Israel entering into Gaza—again?! Didn’t they just they
To save face, Hamas puts innocents in harm’s way Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Have you ever wonder what the Palestinian notion of a “cease fire” is? The answer is simple: Israel “ceases,” while the Palestinians fires. Only the mind of a Kafka could dream up of a scenario where illusion and delusion are the only realities that Israel faces.
Cease fires only give Hamas time to strike again Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Nothing awakens Jews like a little bit of anti-Semitism. Anti-Semites have a unique way of reminding us why we are special as a people. Whenever I speak to my Bar/Bat Mitzvah students, I like to tell them that, “If we stood for nothing, the rest of
Death cults vs. lovers of life Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — President Vladimir Putin is a tough but very effective leader. He is never afraid to take a stand and fight for the interests of his people. True, his methods can be heavy handed at times—if not downright ruthless. His support for Assad in his civil war
Putin evaluates Mideast astutely Read More »
International, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (1924-2014) died on July 3rd this past week. The world has lost of one its greatest and most imaginative modern Rebbes of modern times. In the early sixties, he and Shlomo Carlbach were among the earliest followers of Rabbi Schneersohn and their success set the
Farewell to Rabbi Zalman Schachter- Shalomi Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiToday, we’re coming after the Saturday people; after we finish, we will come after the Sunday people By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — My personal history with the Presbyterian Church goes back to the early 1990s, when they accepted me as a student for their doctoral program. In the three years I
Presby. Church USA brings shame upon itself Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, USABy 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
How Hashem dealt with Miriam’s racism Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi