Michael Mantell

Dr. Michael Mantell

Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. is a retired psychologist, best-selling author, international speaker, and a highly sought after cognitive behavioral coach whose actionable, valuable and practical work has been featured on Fox News, ABC-TV, NBC-TV, CBS-TV, The New York Times, and The Huffington Post. He has been teaching how Torah’s wisdom can lead to optimal living for many decades. You can follow him on Facebook and in other social media, where he has posted the #MantellDaily5 everyday for years.

His books, available on Amazon, include:

Is Your Synagogue the Healthcare Center of 2021?

At a time many are searching for meaning, hope, comfort, and inner peace in daily life, many turn to art, music and nature, while others, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, turn to faith and religion. Spirituality, defined as a belief in a higher power that gives life meaning, characterized by humility, plays a role in improving overall health and may prolong life. [Michael Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

If you don’t believe this is “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” take it up with Jewish composers, Eddie Pola and George Wyle (born Bernard Weissman), who wrote the words and music to that hit song in 1963. For many, it’s hard to see just what’s so wonderful about this time of the year. For Joseph, as we read in this week’s parasha, what may have looked like the worst time, would be quite a turnabout. We are reminded of this each year during Chanukah through Mikeitz. The worst time we face, may just be the most wonderful time. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Joseph learned Who really is in charge

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]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Pharmacist Explains How Drugs Can Mitigate Mental Illness

Dishman covers ADHD, depression, personality disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, anxiety, PTSD and insomnia. He goes into detail in each of these, including the variety of medications available for anyone suffering with one of these mental illnesses, or as he calls them, “Diversity of Personality.” [Michael Mantell, Ph.D]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Science, Medicine, & Education

Jacob Showed Us the Value of Acting Now

What else can possibly be found in a parasha? Jacob meets his brother, Esau. Jacob wrestles with an angel. We read about the rape of Jacob’s daughter, Dina. Her brothers massacre the men of Shechem. Rivka passes away. Jacob is given a new name, “Yisroel.” Rachel dies after giving birth to Benjamin. Isaac dies. And on it goes. [Michael Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, San Diego County

Feeling the Tug of God

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]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Growing young and happy in older age

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]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Torah teaches peace-keeping is divine

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]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Like Abraham, let Hashem be your guide

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]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Bullied as a student? Here’s how you can recover

  By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO —  The short-term and long-term psychological effects of bullying – on either side of the bullying fence, as a victim or as an aggressor – are well documented. Sadly, Jewish day schools, synagogues, youth groups and camps are not necessarily free of children and teens intentionally and

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell