Michael Mantell

Pinchas’ extraordinary longevity wasn’t supernatural, but a direct result of his inner harmony, his mindfulness, and his ability to not disturb himself. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

Moshe’s outburst – his harsh words and the physical act of striking the rock – can be viewed as a manifestation of accumulated stress, grief, and possibly burnout. It highlights the crucial need for leaders to develop robust emotional resilience and self-care practices to maintain their equilibrium in challenging times. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

Imagine being handed a golden ticket and complaining it’s not platinum. That was Korach in a nutshell. His dissatisfaction bubbled and boiled, a cauldron of ambition and discontent that would eventually overflow, scalding not just himself but those around him. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

Imagine the scene – the Jewish People, fresh out of the incredible Exodus experience, find themselves faced with a choice: embrace the positive or succumb to the negative. Tragically, they chose the latter, disqualifying the miracles they had witnessed and viewing life through a filter of excessive bleakness. It’s a cautionary tale that resonates even today with a world filled with depression and anxiety. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

Moses is like, “Oy vey, can these people just be happy for five minutes?” Exasperated, Moses cries out to Hashem, “Kill me rather, I beg you, and let me see no more of my wretchedness” So, he begs Hashem to make them stop whining. But Hashem’s response is epic: “You want meat? You got it! A whole month of meat until it’s coming out your ears!” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

“May the Lord bless you and watch over you. May the Lord cause His countenance to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord raise His countenance toward you and grant you peace.” [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

Amid this boundless desert, Hashem commands Moses to take a census, not merely to count most of the people, but to remind them that each individual matters, that every human being has a vital role to play. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

It is in these precious moments of a blessed mindset filled with respite that we rediscover the true meaning of “Shabbat shalom” – a profound peace that transcends the physical realm and infuses our very being with a sense of spiritual wholeness and emotional harmony. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

Sure, a shul may seem to be “crowded with prayers,” but those prayers are more “show-mer” than “shomer,” authentically rising to Hashem. Our religion’s observances and practices aim to enliven our spiritual awareness, our religious development, not our self-interest. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

Every thread of justice we weave, every hand we extend in care, every ember of anger we extinguish within ourselves – these become luminous threads in the tapestry of the sacred. [Michael R. Mantell]