Ki Tetze The Power of Every Mitzvah: A Path to Transformation and Hope in Elul

As we delve into the month of Elul, a time of profound spiritual strengthening and preparation, I want to share a short but powerful message. As we discussed last week, "Hamelech BaSadeh" – the King is in the field – Hashem is waiting for us to demonstrate goodwill, to make an effort toward change, and to desire renewal.

This message is sent as a Refuah Sheleima (complete healing) for Menachem Mendel Zimmel ben Sarah Leah and Yehudis. May they both experience a full and speedy recovery, and may Hashem hear all our prayers.

Ki Teitzei: A Cornucopia of Mitzvot and the Essence of Chesed

This week's Parasha, Ki Teitzei, boasts an astonishing number of mitzvot – 72, to be precise. This number, 72, holds significant meaning as it is the gematria (numerical value) of Chesed – kindness or grace.

Often, we might view mitzvot as a burden. Perhaps we're not in the mood, or we feel we lack the time or peace of mind to perform them perfectly. However, the Torah reveals a profound truth: each mitzvah is a tremendous act of Chesed that Hashem bestows upon us. Hashem is actively trying to help us, to purify us, through the performance of mitzvot.

As Chazal say, "Ratzah HaKadosh Baruch Hu lezakot et Yisrael, לפיכך הרבה להם תורה ומצוות" - Hashem desired to give merit to and purify Israel, therefore He gave them an abundance of Torah and mitzvot. Not just one or two, but 613! This abundance provides us with countless opportunities to improve and become better people.

The Crown and the Necklace: Torah and Mitzvot

The Vilna Gaon, commenting on a verse in Mishlei (Proverbs), compares mitzvot to a bride's adornments: "כי לוית חן הם לראשך, וענקים לגרגרותיך" - "For they are a graceful garland for your head, and necklaces for your throat."

• "Livyat Chen" – The Graceful Garland (Tiara): This represents the Torah. The Torah is one unified whole, the very purpose of our lives. Just as tefillin shel rosh (phylacteries for the head) crown us, so too does Torah give meaning and direction to our existence.

• "Anakim leGargerotecha" – Necklaces for Your Throat (Pearls): These are the individual mitzvot. Like pearls on a strand, they are many, varied, and attached around the neck. The neck, which directs the movement of the head, symbolizes how our performance of mitzvot directly influences our thoughts and our entire being. The more mitzvot we do, the more we improve and beautify ourselves.

The Midrash beautifully illustrates this by saying: "בכל מקום שהיית הולך, המצוה מלווה אותך" - "Wherever you go, the mitzvah accompanies you." This doesn't mean a mitzvah is a physical entity, but rather that wherever we are, whatever we do, there is always an opportunity to perform a mitzvah.

From plowing a field (not mixing animal types), to harvesting (giving ma'aser and bikurim), to shearing sheep (giving reishit hagez), to entering our homes (kissing the Mezuzah), to building a fence (to prevent falls) – every action holds a potential mitzvah. From the moment we wake and dress according to Halacha, to saying blessings before eating and davening, our lives are filled with constant opportunities. If we simply open our eyes, we realize how Hashem guides us, transforms us, and brings us closer to Him through these acts.

Even when we are simply walking in the street, with no worries or troubles, the Midrash states, "kikar'o kinsipor l'fanicha" - "you may happen upon a bird's nest." This alludes to the mitzvah of shiluach haken (sending away the mother bird before taking the eggs or chicks). This teaches us that opportunities for kindness and mitzvot are always present; we just need the desire to see them. A kind word to a neighbor, a call to an old friend – these are all chances to bring light into the world.

Light in the Darkness: Mitzvot as a Lifeline

A second profound meaning of the 72 mitzvot is "Or zarua la'tzaddik" – "Light is sown for the righteous." Each mitzvah, each act of Torah, is a source of light that is stored away for the world to come.

This concept is crucial when we face the "wars" of life. The Parasha begins with "Ki Teitzei la'milchama" - "When you go out to war," referring not just to national conflicts but to our daily struggles and challenges. We can feel like a person drowning at sea, overwhelmed and in need of a lifeline. Chazal tell us that the mitzvot are that very lifeline. If we cling to them, they will pull us out of the troubled waters of life.

When you feel overwhelmed, seize a mitzvah. Perform an act of kindness. Call out to Hashem. As the Parasha mentions the young girl who should have screamed when in danger, so too should we scream out to Hashem when we are in distress. By doing a mitzvah, we declare, "Hashem, we are doing Your will; help us, bring us closer to You, and provide solutions to our problems."

Mitzvah Goreret Mitzvah: The Chain of Goodness

Finally, the Midrash adds an essential principle: "Mitzvah Goreret Mitzvah, ve'Aveira Goreret Aveira" – "One mitzvah leads to another mitzvah, and one transgression leads to another transgression." When we embark on a positive journey by performing even a small mitzvah, it creates a ripple effect of goodness.

The Parasha concludes with the mitzvah of obliterating Amalek. Chazal explain that Amalek personifies the Yetzer Hara (evil inclination), which tries to deter us. The letters of "Amalek" (עמלק) can be seen as an acronym for the Yetzer Hara's tactics:

• Ayin (ע) - Ayef (tired): "I'm too tired to do it now."

• Mem (מ) - Machar (tomorrow): "I'll do it tomorrow." (There is no "tomorrow" for what you can do today!)

• Lamed (ל) - Lo Yachol (unable): "I'm not good at that; I can't do it."

• Kuf (ק) - Kashi (difficult): "It's too hard; life is difficult."

If we fight these voices, pick ourselves up, refuse to postpone, acknowledge our capabilities, and ask for divine assistance, we will embark on a continuous journey of Mitzvah Goreret Mitzvah. We will see that one good deed leads to another, and Hashem helps us along the way.

Ki Teitzei also presents seemingly disparate mitzvot, like cleanliness in camp, dealing with a rebellious son, and the "beautiful captive" woman (Yefat Toar). These teach us about hygiene, the consequences of not listening, and Hashem's profound understanding of human psychology, even amidst war. All these mitzvot enhance us, bringing us to a higher level of performing mitzvot lishma (for their own sake), understanding that we become better people and can transform the world around us.

A Story of Chesed and Miracles

I want to share a brief story about a ba'al chesed (philanthropist) in America who, especially before Yom Tovim like Pesach, would make an extra effort to help those in need. One year, just three days before Pesach, he received a desperate call from a man who had lost his job and had nothing for his family – no food, no diapers, no wine. The collector promised to try, but it was late.

After many unsuccessful calls, a lady called him, offering to fund a family for Pesach. Overjoyed, he shared the man's story and the long list of necessities. She agreed to provide everything and deliver it herself, on one condition: as she and her husband had been married for many years without children, she begged him and his family to pray for her to conceive. He readily agreed. She was incredibly generous, and the family received everything they needed.

A year later, the same man called again, desperate just before Pesach. The collector tried to reach the generous lady but couldn't. He was given another number, and when he called, a different lady answered, identifying herself as the sister. The collector heard sounds in the background that suggested a hospital. He apologized for bothering her, and she exclaimed, "You don't understand! My sister just had a baby girl after many years of waiting!" The collector, amazed, told her the story of last year's chesed. The sister replied, "Don't worry, we'll take care of everything for the family."

This story perfectly illustrates Mitzvah Goreret Mitzvah. One act of chesed led to a miracle, and that miracle inspired further chesed. May Hashem grant us the opportunity and wisdom to seize every chance in life to perform mitzvot, for they are our light and our path to transformation.

Shabbat Shalom.