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:

Parshiot Behar – Bechukotai: A Message of Comfort, Hope, and Peace

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Nechemta, a message of comfort, hope, and peace often heard at the close of a rabbi’s sermon, is something we can always benefit from hearing, but particularly with increased antisemitism that we are facing daily, it strikes me as an even more cherished message. In this week’s […]

Parshiot Behar – Bechukotai: A Message of Comfort, Hope, and Peace Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Parashat Shemini: Connecting in a Humble Way

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — The week’s Torah reading, Shemini, immediately following our Passover holiday, is filled with emotional and spiritual complexities that accentuate the importance of ritual, structure, awe, and reverence…all aimed at helping us connect with Hashem in a humble way. After this intense holiday period, do we really need

Parashat Shemini: Connecting in a Humble Way Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei, Hachodesh: Combining Our Hearts and Talents as One

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — There are many lenses we can bring to our deep study of each week’s Torah reading. The lens I prefer is one that helps search for and find ways to lead a healthier, more meaningful, and purposeful life. This week’s double reading from Vayakhel- Pekudei is brimming with

Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei, Hachodesh: Combining Our Hearts and Talents as One Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Parashat Ki Tisa and Parah: Do You Count Time, Or Make Time Count? 

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — What do you do when you feel vulnerable, defenseless, in danger? Like the Israelites in this week’s Torah reading, perhaps you find that your neck stiffens as you shift into an alarm reaction. Life was good when just a short while ago, the Israelites felt the presence

Parashat Ki Tisa and Parah: Do You Count Time, Or Make Time Count?  Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Parashat Tetzaveh, Shabbat Zachor: What Ornate Garments Teach Us About Humility

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Sixty-one years ago, when I became a bar mitzvah, I read this parasha, Tetzaveh, at Temple B’nai Abraham in Newark, N.J., under the watchful eye and heart of Rabbi Joachim Prinz. I recall the rabbi telling me how relevant the parasha was to me, since I enjoyed

Parashat Tetzaveh, Shabbat Zachor: What Ornate Garments Teach Us About Humility Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Parashat Mishpatim, Shabbat Shekalim: Leading a Life of True Religion

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — In the words of Louis Nizer, the noted Jewish-American trial lawyer author, artist, and advisor to some of the most powerful people in the world of politics, business, and entertainment, “True religion is the life we lead, not the creed we profess.” In this week’s readings, we are

Parashat Mishpatim, Shabbat Shekalim: Leading a Life of True Religion Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Parashat Yitro: The Importance of ‘Do Not Covet’

Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — In this week’s parasha, Yitro, one of the six portions named for an individual, the Ten Commandments (not suggestions), the Aseret HaDib’rot, are revealed to Moses and to the Israelites in the wilderness. We may learn from this pinnacle experience that the Torah can be learned anywhere, even

Parashat Yitro: The Importance of ‘Do Not Covet’ Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell