Judaism

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Sixty-one years ago, when I became a bar mitzvah, I read this parasha, Tetzaveh, at Temple B’nai Abraham in Newark, N.J., under the watchful eye and heart of Rabbi Joachim Prinz. I recall the rabbi telling me how relevant the parasha was to me, since I enjoyed

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — When you give something of yourself, who benefits? Of course, the person to whom you offered something, but the Torah this week sets the groundwork for something many know. Hashem is teaching us this week, among other lessons, that when you contribute, give, you receive and benefit

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — In the words of Louis Nizer, the noted Jewish-American trial lawyer author, artist, and advisor to some of the most powerful people in the world of politics, business, and entertainment, “True religion is the life we lead, not the creed we profess.” In this week’s readings, we are

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