Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi

Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel

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

Focus on the Bagel, Not on the Hole: A Thanksgiving Parable

In Judaism, there’s a saying in the Talmud, “Who is rich? He who is happy with his lot” (Pirkei Avot 4:1). This wisdom resonates deeply with the spirit of Thanksgiving. It’s about recognizing the fullness of our lives, even when there are ‘holes’, or missing pieces. It’s about finding joy and gratitude in what we do have – the ‘bagel’ – the blessings, the opportunities, and the hope that surrounds us. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Travel and Food

The Culture of Biophilia vs. the Culture of Necrophilia

By 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

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Israel, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion

Hamas Merged Nazi and Islamist Ideologies

Hitler’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]

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Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East

Rosh Hashanah: What Does it Mean to be Human?

By 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

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Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion

Science AND Religion Needed for True Understanding of the World

Given 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]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi

Unpacking the Transmission of Holocaust Trauma

“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

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi

Moral Resolve Needed in Justin Trudeau Swastika Controversy

By 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

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Holocaust, International, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion

Whoopi’s Immaculate Misconception

By 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

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Holocaust, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, USA

Who Should Have the Final Say on Acceptance Into the Baseball Hall of Fame?

By 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

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Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, Sports & Competitions