Parashat Ekev: A Wake-Up Call Before Elul

Good morning, everyone. I know it’s vacation season in both Europe and the United States, and many of us are on break. But even during times of rest, we all need nourishment for the soul—a spiritual wake-up call. This Shabbat is Shabbat Mevarchim—the week we bless the coming month—and it’s not just any new month. It's Rosh Chodesh Elul, the beginning of the Days of Mercy and Reflection.

I share this message l’ilui nishmat my grandmother, Chava bat Avish Mayer, a”h, who lived in Hungary and whose name I carry proudly. May these words bring an elevation to her neshama.

The Cry of Elul

Our sages teach that in earlier generations, when the gabbai would announce in shul, “Rosh Chodesh Elul will be on…”, the women in the Ezrat Nashim would begin to cry. Why? Because Elul is not just a month on the calendar. It’s a mirror. A time when we look back at the year—at the blessings, the challenges, and yes, the tragedies—and ask: Could we have changed the outcome? Could we have averted the pain through deeper connection to Hashem, through more prayer, more mitzvot?

Elul is a gift. It’s our chance to return. It is the time of yemei ratzon, days of favor, when HaKadosh Baruch Hu is closer than ever. We say, “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li”—I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine. But that closeness only comes if we take the first step. It’s a time for cheshbon hanefesh, honest self-evaluation. How are we preparing for Rosh Hashanah? What do we want our din to be?

Lessons from Parashat Eikev: The Power of Small Actions

This week’s Parasha, Eikev, is the second of the Shivah D’Nechemta—the seven weeks of comfort after Tisha B’Av. Last week we focused on healing and hope. This week, we turn to responsibility.

Moshe Rabbeinu continues his powerful farewell, reminding Bnei Yisrael of their journey, their covenant, and their mission. He reiterates Shema Yisrael and the Ten Commandments, laying out the core of our emunah. Then he says:“V’haya eikev tishme’un”—And it will be because you listen.Rashi asks: Why the word eikev? Why not just “ki tishme’un”—if you listen?

Rashi explains: Eikev means “heel.” This refers to the mitzvot we tend to trample on—the small ones we neglect, the ones we assume aren’t important. But they matter deeply.

Let me share a story I recently heard about Rav Avraham Pam, zt”l, the Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Vodaas. He once heard about an elderly man who was ill in the hospital. Though Rav Pam didn’t know him personally and was unwell himself, he took five minutes to write a heartfelt note. That note sustained the man in his final months. Every visitor saw it on his bedside table; it gave him strength.

When the man passed away, someone told Rav Pam how much that card had meant. But instead of pride, Rav Pam was upset. “Do you know why I’m sad?” he said. “Because it only took me five minutes. Such a small act—and it meant so much. If we only realized how far even our smallest actions can go, we’d do so much more.”

Kiss the Mezuzah

Sometimes we underestimate the mitzvot we consider “easy.” The Ramban writes that kissing a mezuzah is one of the simplest things a Jew can do—yet it proclaims Hashem’s sovereignty, protection, and presence. It takes one second, but its power is infinite—if we do it with intention.

Chazal teach us: “Hevei zahir b’mitzvah kalah k’vachamurah”—Be as careful with a light mitzvah as with a serious one. We invest hours preparing for Pesach or fasting on Yom Kippur, but what about the moment we smile at someone, or greet them kindly? These “smaller” actions often carry just as much weight in Hashem’s eyes.

Constancy and Completion

The word eikev also shares the same letters as keva—constancy. Don’t live a life of spiritual highs and lows. Don’t light up one day and fade the next. Torah and mitzvot must be a constant, steady light in our lives.

Later in the Parasha, we read: “Kol ha-mitzvah asher anochi metzavecha”—Every mitzvah I command you today…

Why “every mitzvah” in the singular? The message is clear: Whatever you begin, complete it. Don’t leave a mitzvah half-done. If you start giving tzedakah, don’t forget to finish the act. If you decide to light candles early for Shabbat, follow through, even when the pre-Shabbat rush hits. The mitzvah is credited to the one who finishes it: “Nikreit al shem gomrah.”

The Foundation: Yirat Shamayim

What lies at the foundation of all this? Moshe answers clearly:“V’ata Yisrael, mah Hashem Elokecha sho’el me’imach—What does Hashem ask of you?”“Ki im l’yirah”—Only to fear Him.

Everything is in Hashem’s hands—chutz miyirat shamayim, except for fear of Heaven. That’s up to us. And it’s that fear, that awe, that awareness of standing constantly before Hashem, that inspires a life of meaningful action.

The Year Begins in Tishrei

We’re reminded in the Parasha that Hashem watches over Eretz Yisrael “meireishit hashanah v’ad acharit shanah”—from the beginning of the year to its end. The Midrash points out that the word “reishit” is spelled without an alef. Why? Because the remaining letters—reish, shin, yud, taf—spell Tishrei. Everything that happens in the year is decided on Rosh Hashanah.

If we realized that, how seriously we’d take Elul. How earnestly we’d prepare.

A Final Story: Rav Nosson Tzvi and the Businessmen

Let me end with one more story—about Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, zt”l, the Rosh Yeshiva of Mir. A group of modern businessmen once visited the yeshiva and were introduced to the Rosh Yeshiva. They were visibly uncomfortable. Rav Nosson Tzvi, suffering from advanced Parkinson’s, trembled uncontrollably. It was difficult for them to watch.

But Rav Nosson Tzvi looked straight into their eyes and said…

(To be continued…)

A Call to Action

As we enter Shabbat Mevarchim Elul, take this as your invitation—no, your obligation—to wake up. Start now. Every act, no matter how small, is recorded. Every mitzvah counts. Don’t wait until it’s too late to send that note, say that tefillah, or kiss that mezuzah with kavanah.

Let’s make this Elul count.

Dedicated l’ilui nishmat Chava bat Avish Mayer, a”h.May her soul be elevated through our learning and our actions.