Parashat Re'eh and Chodesh Elul: Begin Hayom—Today

As we enter the new month of Elul, many of you have been asking how I am doing. Baruch Hashem, all is well, and I am grateful for your care and your messages. Since Elul has begun, I want to share a thought to strengthen us as we prepare for the Yamim Noraim.

This week’s parashah opens with the words:

“Re’eh anochi noten lifneichem hayom brachah uklalah” – See, I place before you today a blessing and a curse.

Chazal note that the word hayom—“today”—appears three times at the beginning of the parashah. Why the emphasis on today?

The Call of Hayom

Rosh Hashanah is known as Hayom Harat Olam—the day the world was created. On that day, three books are opened: for the tzaddikim, for the resha’im, and for the beinonim. But the Torah’s insistence on hayom carries a personal message:

Human nature is to procrastinate. We say, “Tomorrow I’ll start my kabbalah. Tomorrow I’ll fix my middah. Tomorrow I’ll reach out to that person.” Rabbeinu Bachya warns that postponing growth is the root of failure. The Torah repeats hayom to remind us: change begins now.

The Four Pesukim of Elul

Chazal highlight four verses that hint to Elul:

• Ani l’dodi v’dodi li (Shir HaShirim) – our loving relationship with Hashem.

• Ish l’rei’eihu u’matanot la’evyonim (Esther) – kindness and connection with others.

• Umal Hashem es levavcha (Devarim) – purification of the heart, like a spiritual brit milah.

• Ashrei l’mi yisah Elokei Yaakov b’ezro (Tehillim, according to some mefarshim) – reliance on Hashem’s help.

Why four? Because Elul is multi-dimensional: love of Hashem, love of others, inner work, and trust in Divine assistance.

Ani l’dodi—Taking the First Step

Elul is not meant to paralyze us with fear. It is a time of love, reconciliation, and closeness. But the verse begins with Ani—it starts with me. I cannot wait for inspiration to descend; I must take the first step. When I do, Hashem responds with His embrace.

Ish l’rei’eihu—Building Unity

If we want closeness to Hashem, we must strengthen our achdut. Hashem says: “My children, I want you to be close to one another.” Acts of chesed, care, and generosity prepare us for Rosh Hashanah.

Umal Hashem es levavcha—Removing Barriers

Teshuvah is a kind of rebirth. But sometimes our hearts become blocked. Elul is the time to peel away those coverings, to allow ourselves to feel again. Hashem is waiting for us to open our hearts.

The Power of Giving

Later in the parashah, Moshe Rabbeinu emphasizes tzedakah, repeating phrases like pato’ach tiftach, naton titen, ha’avet ta’avitenu. Why the double language? To teach that giving must come not only from the hand, but from the heart.

Chazal explain: tzedakah is the greatest merit for the Yamim Noraim. When we give generously and without calculation, Hashem in turn acts toward us with compassion. This is why the Torah warns: Lo te’ametz et levavecha v’lo tikpotz et yadcha—do not harden your heart, do not close your hand. Heart and hand must move together.

Each Day is a New Beginning

Moshe Rabbeinu speaks in both singular and plural—addressing the community, but also each individual. Why? Because every Jew has a unique mission in this world. Your talents, strengths, and circle of influence are not accidents; they are entrusted to you by Hashem.

And even if yesterday was filled with mistakes, today is a new day. Each morning we say: Elokai, neshama shenatata bi tehora hi—Hashem returns our soul pure, with fresh opportunities.

The Greatest Blessing

The Torah does not say, “If you listen, you will receive a blessing.” It says: Ha’berachah asher tishme’u—“The blessing is listening.” The greatest berachah is to live aligned with Torah, to follow Hashem’s will. Each mitzvah brings another, each small step creates momentum for growth.

Moving Forward in Elul

As we begin this month of Elul, let us remember:

• Hayom—start today.

• Ani l’dodi—take the first step toward Hashem.

• Ish l’rei’eihu—strengthen unity and kindness.

• Umal Hashem es levavcha—open your heart to renewal.

• Naton titen—give generously, with joy.

May this Elul be a month of blessing, healing, and renewal for all of Am Yisrael. May it bring us closer to Hashem, closer to one another, and closer to the geulah.

Chodesh Tov, Shavua Tov, and all my love from Yerushalayim.