Michael Mantell

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — If you’re not feeling the magic of “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” let’s chat. Picture this: back in 1963, Jewish composers Eddie Pola and George Wyle (aka Bernard Weissman) crafted the catchy lyrics and music for that very song. Now, if you’re scratching your head […]

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — What an incredible week we’ve got coming up! With the joyous celebrations of Chanukah and the always-awaited Shabbat, it’s a whirlwind of excitement. Amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily lives and the festive happenings, it’s easy to feel like we’re constantly on the move. But

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Thank you, Jacob. For what, you may well ask. For teaching us the value of never missing an opportunity in life to do good, to say a kind word, to recognize that the present is all we have. Jacob, in a simple act, showed us to avoid

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Thanksgiving. No, not the holiday that comes this week on November 23. Rather, what the Torah portion we read this week, Vayeitzei, teaches us about giving thanks. The root letters of “odeh” – “I will give thanks,” form the basis of the name that Leah chose for

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — In the enchanting pages of Toldot this week, we uncover a love story that stands as the very first chapter in the sacred book of Torah. It’s a tale that ignites the flame of passion and unity, reminding us that in love, we’re destined to become one.

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Sarah lived to be 127 while Abraham lived to be 175. Chayei Sarah, can be translated as “The Lifetime of Sarah.” From the Talmud we learn, “the righteous are called living even after death.” Perhaps this is why the prominence of Sarah’s life is highlighted in the

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — And here is where, it seems, many of our current troubles all begin, more than 4,000 years ago. Careful reading of this week’s parasha may help us understand some of the mysteries enveloping today’s events. And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — In this, the third Torah reading of this remarkably eventful new year, we learn in Lech Lecha of the spiritual trajectory of our lives. Hashem tells Avraham, “Lech Lecha,” go for yourself, “me’artzecha,” from your homeland, “mimoladitecha,” from your birthplace, “u’mi’beit avicha,” and from your father’s house

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Look at the world Noach lived in. Greed, oppression, corruption, sexual excess, and worse. Wait. What’s changed? Look at our world. How do we cope without an ark to escape into? Floods, figuratively at least, surround us. Our response, our Jewish response, is to continue to be resilient,

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.  SAN DIEGO — As we learn from “The Parsha Song” from Torah Island by Suki and Ding, “With Bereishit we begin learning Torah, How precious we hold our Mesorah, Bereishis, Noach, Lech Lecha, Vayeira, Chayei Sarah, Sarah lived for 127 years…” And on we go. Yes, new beginnings often combine excitement

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This year, we read Torah portions Nitzavim and Vayeilech, on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashana. It asks us where we stand as we enter the new year. The parasha teaches that G-d tells us, “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. You

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — To be a Jew is to be a grateful person. As we enter Shabbat with Psalm 92, we read, “It is good to give thanks.” Rabbi Zelig Pliskin teaches, “Living with gratitude elevates your entire life. You become a more spiritual person. You become a more joyful person.

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This week’s parasha, literally meaning, “When you go out…” opens with a description of facing war with enemies. Maimonides tells us that 72 mitzvot spring from this week’s Torah portion, from weights and measures and collecting debts in a righteous way, to proper ways to divorce, keeping promises,

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This week’s parasha presents an intriguing perspective for those with an inclination towards environmentalism. It articulates, “When besieging a city for an extended period, preparing for war to conquer it, refrain from felling its trees with axes. These trees are for sustenance, and you must not cut them