Michael Mantell

In this week’s Torah portion, Vayeitzei, we witness Yaakov embarking on a deeply transformative journey. Fleeing the threats of his brother Esav and venturing toward his uncle Lavan, Yaakov pauses amidst his uncertainty to connect with Hashem in prayer. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

If you’re looking for a love story, this week in Toldot, we read a magnificent one, in fact, the first. You see, we are told that husband and wife are to “cleave to each other and become one flesh.” This is precisely what Isaac and Rebecca teach us so perfectly. In fact, they even prayed as one. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

As a couple, Abraham and Sarah together faced pain, obstacles and challenges. Their emunah was painfully tested and what do they teach us? “Kol mah d’avid Rachmana l’tova oseh…” Whatever Hashem does is for the good. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

The Torah instructs us to reconnect with the essence of our souls by leaving behind “your land,” which represents our attachment to materialism. Even if we feel trapped in a state of depression or worldly concerns, the path to liberation lies within those very circumstances, the Torah offers us a path forward. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

This week we read of two calamities, “climate change” and “immigration.” Sounds familiar and contemporary, doesn’t it? And we learn from how Noah and the builders of the Tower of Babel responded to their individual challenges, just how to prevail when dealing with misfortune, catastrophe and blows in life – real or imagined. [Michael R. Mantell]

For an answer to grow with, investigate the Talmud, Sanhedrin 38a. Here we are told that if we came first, as some might haughtily believe we “should,” we and our children might erroneously believe that the creation of the world was NOT entirely Hashem’s doing, that somehow, we humans were co-architects, co-authors, of the world with Him. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

During the days that are very soon upon us, Rosh Hashana, the Fast of Gedalia, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hoshana Rabah, Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, we contemplate our needs and our deeds, our hopes and aspirations for the coming year. and in so doing, we choose life. This is a central message of the High Holidays…to choose life, to live a live filled with mitzvot, not just to pray to win a lottery or for the health of one’s body, but ideally, for the needs of our soul as well. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

I’ve long held that happiness is an inside job. It’s not dependent on what you have, or don’t have, it rests largely on what you think. Rav Mordechai Gifter, zt”l, of the Rosh Yeshiva of Telz Yeshiva in Cleveland, offered a penetrating insight into human nature, “Happiness is not something that happens to us. Happiness is our choice.” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

In our world today, there’s a pressing need for greater compassion and empathy. Many are suffering silently, and it’s crucial that we learn to listen with open hearts and minds. Leave it to the wisdom of the Torah, of Hashem, to guide us to do so, with the mitzvah of sending away a mother bird before taking her eggs or young. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

As we approach our High Holidays, it’s natural to feel a sense of trepidation and fear about the future. In our spiritual journey, the phrase “al tira” – “do not be afraid” – is laced into the very foundation of our faith. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]