Jewish Religion

Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — In this week’s parasha, Yitro, one of the six portions named for an individual, the Ten Commandments (not suggestions), the Aseret HaDib’rot, are revealed to Moses and to the Israelites in the wilderness. We may learn from this pinnacle experience that the Torah can be learned anywhere, even

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This week’s parasha, Beshalach, includes an impactful pasuk, “And He said, ‘If you hearken to the voice of the Lord, your God, and you do what is proper in His eyes, and you listen closely to His commandments and observe all His statutes, all the sicknesses that

When Hashem directs Moses, “come to Pharaoh,” He is saying “come to Me.” The Ba’al Shem Tov teaches in a parable that He is saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am here behind the screen. All the tests are just from me. With everything you do, you’re getting closer to Me. I am the good found in all the struggle. Come to Me and I will take you high above the darkness of this world, and then I will show you how I was really with you the whole time.” In essence he is suggesting the famous FEAR acronym “Face Everything and Rise,” rather than “Forget Everything and Run.” [Michael Mantell, Ph.D]

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Oy gevalt! Evictions, pleading to “let My people go,” magic staffs, plagues, hardened hearts…read all this and enjoy a peaceful Shabbat? By now we’ve learned that whatever happens in our lives always happens for our benefits. Let’s look at the lessons in this week’s Torah reading, the 14th