Michael Mantell

While the events of our lives are commonly beyond our control, the way we interpret them—and how we choose to react to them—are abilities within our own mind. This teaching echoes through the story of Joseph, who reinterprets the betrayal of his brothers as part of Hashem’s divine plan, and through Jacob, who blesses his children with wisdom. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

– This week, as we read וַיִּגַּשׁ (Vayigash), we encounter what many consider to be one of the most emotionally powerful moments in the entire Torah. We witness the remarkable story of Joseph—the first person in the Torah to teach us how to heal and transform the way we think, feel, and respond to life’s challenges. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

The miracle of the oil is a foundation for why candle lighting, an act of pirsuma d’nisa (publicizing the miracle), is one of the two major commandments of Chanukah, with reciting Hallel as the other. Through lighting candles, we can display our hope, trust, and faith in Hashem and in His role in our lives. When they lit the menorah in the Temple, they did so from a belief, a hope, that the future is not preordained, that the future can truly be altered. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

Yosef received a life-changing lesson about purpose and focus. When Yosef was wandering, searching for his brothers, the Angel Gavriel appeared and asked him a powerfully insightful and transformative question: “Mah Tevakesh?” – “What are you seeking?” Read and repeat that to yourself. “Mah Tevakesh?” – “What are you seeking?” Do you know? [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

This week’s Torah reading, Vayishlach, brings us a powerful message of hope, resilience, and transformation. It begins with Jacob’s long-awaited return to the Land of Israel, a journey that marks not just a physical homecoming, but a profound spiritual rebirth. Along the way, Jacob demonstrates courage, wisdom, and foresight—preparing gifts for his brother Esau and thoughtfully dividing his camp, showing his care for his loved ones. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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]