Kabbalah and the Holocaust

Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel is an American rabbi, educator, author, and lecturer whose many superb books span Jewish theology, philosophy, biblical interpretation, mysticism, and interfaith dialogue. Born in San Francisco and raised in California, he is the son of a Holocaust survivor to whom he dedicates his 2026 book. The Holocaust experience significantly influenced his reflections on suffering, religion, and Jewish resilience, and produced some of his writings that benefit many people.

I am a fan of his writing and have written more than a dozen Forewords to his books, always praising them as they deserve.

He received extensive traditional rabbinic training in Orthodox yeshivot, including rabbinical ordination (Yoreh De’ah) and the higher rabbinic degree Yadin Yadin, which few rabbis hold and which also makes him a judge. He taught Bible and Talmud in Jewish day schools before serving as a congregational rabbi. He later became affiliated with the Conservative movement while maintaining an intellectually broad and ecumenical approach to Judaism. In 1995, he was awarded a PhD in pastoral counseling from the San Francisco Theological Seminary.

Rabbi Samuel has written extensively on subjects ranging from the Hebrew Bible and Philo of Alexandria to Maimonides, Jewish mysticism, psychology, ethics, and comparative religion. His writings usually integrate classical Jewish sources with modern psychology, philosophy, literature, and contemporary scholarship.

He published well over twenty books, and the total continues to grow as new titles appear so fast that one thinks they appear monthly. His publications include biblical commentaries, theological studies, works on Philo, Maimonides, Jewish mysticism, pastoral theology, and Holocaust-related subjects.

Among his better-known books are: The Lord Is My Shepherd: The Theology of a Caring God; Birth and Rebirth Through Genesis; Shepherd Song: Psalm........

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