Michael Mantell

By (Proud Papa) Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This week’s parasha is a landmark in Torah’s teaching in contemporary psychology. And a beautiful landmark, B”H, in our family. This Shabbat our youngest grandson’s, Jacob and Max Mantell, will IY”H, become b’nei mitzvah. And it is also the auf ruf of our oldest grandson, […]

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This week’s Torah reading, Behaalotecha, appears to be the basis of one of my mother’s oft-repeated sayings, “Keep complaining and I’ll really give you something to complain about.” Seems the Israelites grew tired of their monotonous diet of manna, pining for the fish and other foods they

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — In this week’s parasha, Naso, we are introduced to the Birkat Kohanim, the “Priestly Blessing.” We’re all familiar with it. We’ve heard it said, recited it ourselves, and given it to others, many times: “May the Lord bless you and watch over you. יְבָֽרֶכְךָ֥ יְהוָֹ֖ה וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ: May

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — It’s not often that a d’var Torah I write begins with the words of Rabbi Steven S. Wise, but this week’s parasha Bamidbar, read the week before Shavuot, is one of those times. In 1905 he said, “Help and respect can come to a people only through self-help

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Nechemta, a message of comfort, hope, and peace often heard at the close of a rabbi’s sermon, is something we can always benefit from hearing, but particularly with increased antisemitism that we are facing daily, it strikes me as an even more cherished message. In this week’s

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Who in the world are we to speak to anyone else in a harsh, insensitive, or disrespectful manner? This week’s Torah reading teaches us to speak with love, kindliness, and thoughtfulness. Speaking with gentleness, graciousness, and warmth is vital to our healthy future. How timely parashat Emor is

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Can you imagine what life would be like if it was built, truly built, on love? Hashem comes to teach us in this week’s double Torah reading that not only can such a world exist, but that He delegates us to build that world. The teachings found

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Who among us is so pure as to never speak lashon hora? Who among us doesn’t exclude others? Who among us is so out of touch with oneself as to naively believe that s/he always promotes achdus within our community? Rav Yisrael Salanter explained why the portions

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — The week’s Torah reading, Shemini, immediately following our Passover holiday, is filled with emotional and spiritual complexities that accentuate the importance of ritual, structure, awe, and reverence…all aimed at helping us connect with Hashem in a humble way. After this intense holiday period, do we really need

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Who says our children are nervous or depressed? A recent Pew survey finds that around 40% of parents are extremely or very worried their children might struggle with anxiety or depression. Indeed, according to a Mental Health America report, 16% of youth surveyed reported having at least

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — In this week’s Torah reading, parasha Tzav, we read of the continuing lessons of the offerings in the Holy Temple, introduced in parashat Vayikra, reminding us that these were meant to be a means of drawing closer to Hashem and atoning for our sins. This concept of

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This week, in parasha Vayikra, we see a powerful message coming alive behind Jewish ritual and tradition – if we approach our learning inside the parasha with an open heart and a desire to grow. Rav Wolbe, a prominent 20th-century Jewish educator and author, offers insights into parasha

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — There are many lenses we can bring to our deep study of each week’s Torah reading. The lens I prefer is one that helps search for and find ways to lead a healthier, more meaningful, and purposeful life. This week’s double reading from Vayakhel- Pekudei is brimming with

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — What do you do when you feel vulnerable, defenseless, in danger? Like the Israelites in this week’s Torah reading, perhaps you find that your neck stiffens as you shift into an alarm reaction. Life was good when just a short while ago, the Israelites felt the presence