Ki Tetze The Roar of Elul and the Power of Mitzvot: Hearing Hashem’s Call

Published by Rebbetzin Chavi GolovenshitzIn loving gratitude for the engagement of our grandson in Beit Shemesh, son of our dear Yechiel. May we always share besorot tovot and simchas together.

Elul: Do We Hear the Roar?

We’re approaching the heart of Chodesh Elul, and as the days of Rosh Hashanah draw near, Chazal remind us:

"A lion has roared—who shall not fear?" (Amos 3:8)

But the question is: Do we hear the lion’s roar?Do we feel that trembling in our heart when we hear the distant blast of the shofar? Do we sense the urgency of the approaching Yom Hadin, the Day of Judgment?

The letters of "אריה" (Aryeh – lion) also form the word “ראיה” – to see. Now is the time to look back at the past year with open eyes:

• Were there blessings we truly appreciated?

• Were there tragedies that left us shaken?

• And most importantly: Did we do everything in our power to prevent or transform what occurred?

This is the avodah of Elul—to listen, to reflect, to change. We still have time. Time to do teshuvah, to return, to awaken our hearts before the gates of judgment are sealed.

The Chesed Hidden in Parashat Ki Teitzei

This week’s Parashat Ki Teitzei contains a remarkable 72 mitzvot—more than any other parsha in the Torah. And 72 is the gematria of "chesed"—kindness.

What a message for Elul! Hashem, in His boundless mercy, gives us mitzvot not as a burden, but as a gift—opportunities to bring us closer to Him in every aspect of life:

• In business and financial dealings

• In family dynamics

• In interpersonal kindness and dignity

Even something as small as how we knock on someone’s door to collect a loan is guided by Torah. Why? Because every person is created b’tzelem Elokim—in the image of Hashem.

When we live with this consciousness, we show Hashem that we too value dignity, compassion, and justice.

The Battle Within: Life as a Warzone

The parsha begins with the words:

“When you go out to war against your enemies…” (Devarim 21:10)

Our Sages explain this refers not just to physical warfare, but to the spiritual battles each of us face:Temptations. Jealousy. Anger. Technology. Peer pressure. Oyevim rabbim—so many internal and external enemies.

Yet the Torah says “Unatano Hashem Elokecha beyadecha”—Hashem will deliver them into your hand. Even if our struggles seem many, Hashem will help us overcome them as if they were one.

Hashem Understands the Struggle

The Torah's law of the Yefat Toar—the beautiful captive—teaches that even when a person loses control in a moment of weakness, Hashem understands. He knows the human condition.

But He doesn’t leave us there. He offers a path of healing and redemption, just as He does for all of us in Elul.

The Mitzvah That Follows You

The Midrash teaches something extraordinary:

“Wherever you go, the mitzvah follows you.”

Whether you’re:

• Plowing your field

• Sewing a garment

• Building a home

• Taking a simple walk in nature

There is always a mitzvah to fulfill.

Think of mitzvot as a crown of inner beauty—just like the dazzling tiara worn by royalty. Each mitzvah is a precious gem adorning the soul.

So don’t ever say, “There’s nothing I can do.” You can always do something, even something small. And these small acts, the Torah tells us, bring immense light and transformation.

The Key to Chinuch: Listening

This parsha also teaches about the Ben Sorer U’Moreh, the wayward child. Chazal say there was never actually such a case—but the Torah includes it to teach us a powerful message:

“Einenu shomea b’kol aviv u’b’kol imo” — He does not listen to his father or mother.

The downfall begins when we stop listening.

That’s the essence of Elul. Hashem is speaking. Are we listening?

On Rosh Hashanah, we’ll hear the shofar, but will we truly listen—not just with our ears, but with our hearts?

Seeds of Light for the Righteous

The Midrash concludes with a beautiful image:

“Or zarua latzadik”—A light is planted for the righteous. (Tehillim 97:11)

Hashem planted mitzvot like seeds across every moment of life—so that we may merit to grow, to flourish, and to enter Olam Haba.

There is no moment, no place, no circumstance in life where you cannot plant a seed of mitzvah.

Let us take this Elul seriously.Let us listen deeply.Let us act kindly.Let us plant seeds of light—for ourselves, for Klal Yisrael, and for the world.

May we be zocheh to a sweet, meaningful Rosh Hashanah, filled with simcha, yeshuot, and personal growth.

With love and bracha,Rebbetzin Chavi Golovenshitz