Michael Mantell

When our soul ascends to heaven, we bring every day we’ve lived, with us. Our days don’t disappear upon our death, but rather stay with us…forever. Every day, the special meaning we give to the days of our lives, accompany us through eternity. This is why keeping ourselves pure, acting with kindness, compassion, humility and truly not judging others are so essential to our eternal lives. Does this awareness help you realize the potential that awaits you? [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

This week’s parasha reveals a great deal about human nature. Indeed, “reveal” is the key word. As the parasha opens, Joseph continues to hide his true identity until his brother, Judah, touchingly entreats Joseph to enslave him instead of their innocent, framed brother, Benjamin. Judah poignantly tells Joseph about their elderly bereaved father, which adds to Joseph’s decision to tell his brothers that he is their brother. {Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

With a new secular year coming upon us, perhaps it’s time to review just what prayer is all about, the value and benefit of prayer, and why the Talmud refers to prayer as standing “…at the pinnacle of the world…” Perhaps with this deeper understanding, this year may be a new year with a new commitment to prayer. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

As we here in San Diego face a new set of lockdowns, many continue wondering, okay, complaining, about the decisions of those who are “in charge.” This week’s Torah reading answers the question of who is in charge quite clearly. Just when we think all is well with our health, in our family, with our career, in our lives, G-d shows us He has another lesson for us to learn. It seems the only thing predictable about life is how unpredictable it can be. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

I’m reminded of the little boy who was out flying his kite on a windy day. The wind was terrific that day and the kite was soaring high into the clouds. A man walked by and asked the boy what he was doing. “I’m flying my kite,” said the boy. The man looked, couldn’t see any kite and said, “I don’t see any kite. How do you know you’re flying a kite?” The boy answered, “Mr., because I can feel the tug.” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

With all the election stress, COVID stress, societal stress, marital and family stress, stress of kids at home, stress about increasing crime, stress about racial divisiveness and financial stress swirling about, wouldn’t a love story right about now be welcome? Welcome Toldot, a magnificent parasha filled with wisdom about love. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

We learn profound lessons from the lives of Sarah and Abraham about growing young and happy in older age. Yet we still seem to have the need to turn to, for example, a famed Harvard University study that found the following personality characteristics relating to happiness in aging: A future orientation and the ability to plan positively (“I figure if I can do this when I’m 85, I’ll be doing pretty well.”) The capacity for both gratitude and forgiveness The ability to see the world through the eyes of another The desire to do things with, and for, people. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

We learn in Vayikra Rabba, “Bar Kappara said: Great is peace, for the Scriptures reported in the Torah a prevarication which was used in order to maintain peace between Abraham and Sarah. This is proved by what is written, ​And Sarah laughed within herself, saying…and my master is old; but [when He repeated this]​ to Abraham, He said: [​Sarah said]: ​And I am old.” Further, “Rabbi Ishmael taught: Great is peace, for even of the Great Name, written though it be in sanctity, did the Holy One, blessed be He, say that it may be blotted out in water, for the purpose of making peace between husband and wife.” [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

In this, the third parasha of this year, Hashem speaks to Avraham for the very first time, “Go forth from your land and from your birthplace and from your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.” What a way to greet someone for the first time. Go! So, what’s this teaching us? Let’s learn…

The word, “lecha” is seemingly redundant. Commentators suggest various meanings of this word, from “Go to yourself,” “Go for yourself,” and “Go by yourself.” [Michael Mantell, Ph.D]

Rav Bahya ben Joseph ibn Pakuda, the author of Chovot Halevavot, the Duties of the Heart, describes the ideal of t’mimut as “…complete harmony between inner and outward actions….We see in Psalm 15:2 that this ideal refers to someone “who lives without blame, who does what is right, and in his heart acknowledges the truth…” [Michael Mantell, PhD]