Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel has once again made a significant contribution to Jewish scholarship entitled “The Unknown English Torah Commentator: Marcus M. Kalisch on Genesis 1-22.” This work promises to be a new trailblazing series introducing readers to the thinking and teachings of Marcus Kalisch (1828-1885). Kalisch integrated the best of Judaic scholarship with the ideas of philosophy, anthropology, comparative literature, linguistics, and classical literature is unique. People of all faith and religious traditions will enjoy reading about Kalisch’s novel interpretations of the Bible’s most beloved tales. Kalisch always sought to make the ethical lessons of the Pentateuch meaningful for the average reader, rabbi, or scholar. The graphical illustrations add an artistic flare to the commentary, captivating the writer’s heart and imagination. ~Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin, Onkelos on the Torah: Understanding the Biblical Text Marcus Kalisch wrote one of the first extensive commentaries on the Torah to have been written in English. Kalisch ranks as one of the most extraordinary exegetes who ever lived. His expansive command of rabbinical, theological, linguistic, classical, and historical sources was nothing less than kaleidoscopic. Despite having composed his outstanding work over 175 years ago, his thoughts and inspirational content can deeply enrich any biblical student, scholar, or teacher. Kalisch possessed a complete mastery of ancient Jewish texts and could cite the writings of Euripides as easily as he could quote the Talmud. Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel has done a stellar job distilling the best of Kalisch’s sophisticated thought. Kalisch’s ideas deserve to be disseminated to our era and beyond. ~Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg, Echoes of the Holocaust: Survivors and Their Children and Grandchildren Speak Out Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel is the son of a Holocaust survivor. He holds two rabbinic ordinations from the Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch Yeshiva of 770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn and holds a D. Min. degree from the San Francisco Theological Seminary. He is an avid student of the Greek classics, Biblical and Talmudic scholarship, Jungian Psychology, Western Medieval Theology, Modern Philosophy, and 20th century psychology. He is the author of The Lord Is My Shepherd: The Theology of the Caring God (1996), Birth and Rebirth Through Genesis (2010), A Shepherd’s Song: Psalm 23 and the Shepherd Metaphor In Jewish Thought (2014), Rediscovering Philo of Alexandria: A First Century Jewish Commentator (Volumes, 1-5), (2014-2018), Maimonides’ Hidden Torah Commentary (Volumes 1-5) and Gentle Judaic Wisdom for a Troubled World (2019).

Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel has once again made a significant contribution to Jewish scholarship entitled "The Unknown English Torah Commentator: Marcus M. Kalisch on Genesis 1-22." This work promises to be a new trailblazing series introducing readers to the thinking and teachings of Marcus Kalisch (1828-1885). Kalisch integrated the best of Judaic scholarship with the ideas of philosophy, anthropology, comparative literature, linguistics, and classical literature is unique. People of all faith and religious traditions will enjoy reading about Kalisch's novel interpretations of the Bible's most beloved tales. Kalisch always sought to make the ethical lessons of the Pentateuch meaningful for the average reader, rabbi, or scholar. The graphical illustrations add an artistic flare to the commentary, captivating the writer's heart and imagination. Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin, Onkelos on the Torah: Understanding the Biblical Text Marcus Kalisch wrote one of the first extensive commentaries on the Torah to have been written in English. Kalisch ranks as one of the most extraordinary exegetes who ever lived. His expansive command of rabbinical, theological, linguistic, classical, and historical sources was nothing less than kaleidoscopic. Despite having composed his outstanding work over 175 years ago, his thoughts and inspirational content can deeply enrich any biblical student, scholar, or teacher. Kalisch possessed a complete mastery of ancient Jewish texts and could cite the writings of Euripides as easily as he could quote the Talmud. Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel has done a stellar job distilling the best of Kalisch's sophisticated thought. Kalisch's ideas deserve to be disseminated to our era and beyond. Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg, Echoes of the Holocaust: Survivors and Their Children and Grandchildren Speak Out Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel is the son of a Holocaust survivor. He holds two rabbinic ordinations from the Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch Yeshiva of 770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn and holds a D. Min. degree from the San Francisco Theological Seminary. He is an avid student of the Greek classics, Biblical and Talmudic scholarship, Jungian Psychology, Western Medieval Theology, Modern Philosophy, and 20th century psychology. He is the author of The Lord Is My Shepherd: The Theology of the Caring God (1996), Birth and Rebirth Through Genesis (2010), A Shepherd's Song: Psalm 23 and the Shepherd Metaphor In Jewish Thought (2014), Rediscovering Philo of Alexandria: A First Century Jewish Commentator (Volumes, 1-5), (2014-2018), Maimonides' Hidden Torah Commentary (Volumes 1-5) and Gentle Judaic Wisdom for a Troubled World (2019).

Pandemics have been an inescapable facet of human existence throughout the annals of history. Yet, not many have navigated the tumultuous tides of these devastating events with a sound mind and measured wisdom. Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel, in his profound contemplation of plagues and pandemics, broadens his perspective to encompass a deep historical analysis that stretches across the epochs. The author's work meticulously dissects and scrutinizes the varied responses that societies have mounted against pandemics. In his comprehensive exploration, he unearths the fallacies and insufficiencies of over-simplified interpretations. His panoramic study, though primarily composed as a Judaic guide for comprehending and weathering the Covid-19 crisis, transcends religious boundaries, offering valuable insights to Christians, and indeed anyone of any faith seeking understanding in these trying times. Immersed in the depths of Scripture, tradition, history, psychology, social science, and pastoral concerns, Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel's scholarly exploration endeavors to make sense of a global catastrophe, a mission far from straightforward. However, his judicious insights present a plethora of perspectives, supplying intellectual stimulation to the curious mind, and solace to those in need of reassurance. By placing the pandemic in both a temporal and eternal context, he dispels myriad misconceptions, offering a comforting voice amidst the storm and practical guidance for those striving to maintain hope. Rabbi Samuel's work, faithful to his distinctive rabbinic style, is brimming with compelling narratives, colorful illustrations, and tangible advice to help navigate the labyrinth of this pandemic. His keen ability to intersect theology, science, psychology, health, and the medical dimensions of real-world adversities is what sets his work apart. He possesses a unique knack for presenting complex ideas in an accessible manner, akin to "putting cookies on a shelf" that all readers can reach and comprehend. His book, 'God and the Pandemic, ' is a carefully curated, seasoned piece of scholarship that embodies a world view that will continue to resonate, providing grounded, rational, and enduring insights long after the pandemic subsides. The sagacity contained within this book is timeless, offering sustenance for the mind and soul. I unreservedly recommend Rabbi Samuel's work to anyone seeking enlightenment in these challenging times. His ability to demystify, comfort, and inspire is, simply put, remarkable.

"Philo is one of the great thinkers of the ancient world, yet he no longer remains enigmatic to biblical interpreters. I enthusiastically recommend Rediscovering Philo of Alexandria." Dr. Marvin Wilson, Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies Gordon College, Wenham, MA "Philo proves to be a staunch supporter of the classical approach to biblical characters, immediately and unequivocally defending them and dispelling any possible negative interpretation of their behavior. In situations where such 'mainstream' commentaries as Nachmanides or Rabbi S.R. Hirsch find fault in the behavior of the matriarchs or patriarchs, Philo is quick to defend; in fact, there are many instances in which he inserts a virtuous spin on seemingly neutral situations...Rabbi Leo Samuel has done an outstanding service, both to Philo and to modern readers. In Rediscovering Philo of Alexandria, Philo’s ancient Torah commentary becomes readable and meaningful, exciting and contemporary. I look forward to future volumes..." Rabbi Ari D. Kahn, Echoes of Eden on the Pentateuch The intellectual fecundity of Philo's era was remarkable. He lived at one of the most creative periods of Western Civilization, as two of the greatest traditions--Semitic and Greek--were continuing to winnow the useful insights of their counterpart's teachings, while they refined their own modes of thoughts and religious expression. Philo became Hellenistic Judaism's greatest philosopher and was the first ancient Judaic thinker to compose a commentary on the Torah. His style of interpretation included the exegetical, legal, linguistic, proto-midrashic, and theological strands of 1st century Jewish thought. Reading Rediscovering Philo of Alexandria offers the reader a glimpse into the unknown world of 1st Hellenistic Judaism, which in many ways resembled the Western world we now inhabit. Michael Leo Samuel has meticulously culled from all of Philo’s exegetical remarks, arranging them according to the biblical verses. He provides extensive parallels from the corpus of rabbinical literature, Greek philosophy, and Christian theology in presenting how Philo impacted the great minds of Late Antiquity and beyond. Keywords: Books , Religion & Spirituality , Judaism , Sacred Writings , Torah Bible Study & Reference, Commentaries, Old Testament, Mystical Torah, Middle Platonism, Hellenistic Jewish Philosophy

Vol. 4 covers the late Roman period to the rise of Islam. Focuses especially on the growth and development of rabbinic Judaism and of the major classical rabbinic sources such as the Mishnah, Jerusalem Talmud, Babylonian Talmud and various Midrashic collections.

V.I:Aach-Apocalyptic lit.--V.2: Apocrypha-Benash--V.3:Bencemero-Chazanuth--V.4:Chazars-Dreyfus--V.5: Dreyfus-Brisac-Goat--V.6: God-Istria--V.7:Italy-Leon--V.8:Leon-Moravia--V.9:Morawczyk-Philippson--V.10:Philippson-Samoscz--V.11:Samson-Talmid--V.12: Talmud-Zweifel.

This is the first translation with commentary of selections from The Zohar, the major text of the Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition. This work was written in 13th-century Spain by Moses de Leon, a Spanish scholar.