Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel is spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista, California.
His books, available on Amazon, include:
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*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
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By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — When you look at the history of Islamic art, its inclusion in the Islamic faith has not been without periods of repression. Among those singled out for the most severe penalties of the afterlife, are the artists, and other “makers of images or pictures.”Although the Quran did […]
Art, photos, and Islamic belief Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — As the world leaders boldly proclaimed in Paris, “We are Charlie” as the Sunday rally attracted more than 1.7 million people, and more than twice that nationwide. These people gathered to show solidarity to those brave souls who fought for the public’s right to enjoy
For Obama, it would be ‘je ne suis pas Charlie’ Read More »
International, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — In my opinion, the brilliant 20th century Eric Fromm ranks as one of the greatest psychologists and social prophets of the century. I would also add that Fromm must rank as one of the least appreciated Jewish philosophers of his time as well. One of
Cultures of life and death Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — This past Friday night, we rejoiced when we heard the news about Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, who was finally released from having spent 214 days in a horrible Mexican prison. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this story, Tahmooressi was arrested on March 31 after
Obama failed in his duty to redeem the captive Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USABy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –Cultivating moderate Muslim voices is a mighty challenge—especially given the paucity of moderate Muslims in Western societies. John Kerry recently spoke a dinner honoring Shaarik Zafar’s inclusion into the Department of Homeland Security as a senior adviser. Here are some of the salient points that Kerry made
‘Moderate Islam’: Impotent, irrelevant? Read More »
International, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiIf you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle—Sun Tzu, The Art of War By
Obama must focus on jihadist enemy, not on golf game Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, USABy 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 East