אם ירצה ה׳
Prologue
" What does Hashem want from me?” That’s a question that everyone should ask themselves one time or another – and probably very frequently – because the answer to that question is everything. If we want to accomplish things in this world, it’s a question that should concern us all the time.
In this week’s Eikev parsha Moshe Rabeinu is speaking to the Am Yisroel and he says to them as follows: וְעַתָּה יִשְׂרָאֵל מָה הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ שֹׁאֵל מֵעִמָּךְ – “And now Yisroel; what is Hashem asking from you?”
Oohh wah! Jackpot! That’s our question! And we can hear an answer now from Moshe our Teacher who is speaking the Word of Hashem: “You know what He wants from you? כִּי אִם – only, לְיִרְאָה אֶת הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ – to fear Hashem your G-d, לָלֶכֶת בְּכָל דְּרָכָיו – and to walk in all of His ways, וּלְאַהֲבָה אֹתוֹ – and to love Him, וְלַעֲבֹד אֶת הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹקֶיךָ בְּכָל לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל נַפְשֶׁךָ – and to serve Hashem your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul, לִשְׁמֹר אֶת מִצְוֹת הַשֵּׁם וְאֶת חֻקֹּתָיו – and to keep all the mitzvos of Hashem and to keep all of His laws (Eikev 10:12-13).
Your Divine Mission to Save Souls
The shofar's call echoes through the month of Elul, stirring our souls to repentance.
Rav Yosef Mizrachi chlita reveals a startling truth: Elul isn’t just about saving yourself—it’s about saving every soul you know.
🔥 A Jew's Life-or-Death Obligation
The prophet Ezekiel delivers a chilling warning:
"If you do not speak to warn the wicked of his evil path—he will die in his sin, but his blood I will demand from your hand" (Ezekiel 3:18).
This isn’t a metaphor. If someone sins because you stayed silent—a family member, friend, coworker, or neighbor—you bear responsibility for their spiritual death. Every uncommitted sin they accumulate becomes your liability.
⚖️ Who Must You Warn? Everyone.
- The "wicked": Those actively sinning.
- The "falling righteous": The formerly observant who now skip prayers, neglect Torah, or drift from mitzvos.
If you see someone "going down" and say nothing—you forfeit their share in Olam Haba (the World to Come). Their spiritual death is on your hands.
🎁 Elul: Your Golden Opportunity to Act
This month of repentance is the perfect time to reach out. Practical ways to fulfill this duty:
1. Gift Torah: Share USB drives, books, or meaningful articles (in their language—Hebrew, English, or Russian).
2. Host or Share: Organize a shiur (lecture), send a powerful video, or invite them to a learning group.
3. Speak with Love: Say gently: "I care about your eternity—please don’t abandon mitzvos."
4. Rescue the Drifting: Ask struggling friends: "Are you in crisis? How can I help you return?"
💫 The Eternal Rewards for Saving a Soul
- If they ignore you? "You saved your own soul" (Ezekiel 3:19). You’re absolved of guilt.
- If they repent? You gain their portion in Olam Haba—an "endless reward"—while they reclaim their eternal life.
Rav Mizrachi calls this your "spiritual insurance policy": Warning others shields you from bearing their sins.
✨ But First: Clean Your Own Soul
Elul demands dual action—saving others and yourself:
- Pray with Fire: Break your heart in tefillah. If you pray in Hebrew without understanding, it’s "like doing nothing." Learn the meaning of Shema and Amidah.
- No "Business as Usual": If Elul feels like every other month, you’re denying Hashem’s closeness.
- Embrace Suffering: Accept "yissurim shel ahava" (suffering of love)—pain that doesn’t hinder Torah study—as a gift that erases sins.
🚨 Final Warning: Don’t Be "Super Super Stupid"
Ignoring this duty isn’t just negligence—it’s spiritual suicide. This Elul:
1. WARN everyone in your orbit.
2. REPENT with raw sincerity.
3. CLAIM your eternity—and theirs.
Your mission is clear:
Save a soul. Save yourself.
The clock is ticking—Elul won’t wait.
"In the stillness of Elul, heaven whispers:
'Who will you rescue today?'"
— Rav Yosef Mizrachi
💡 Inspired? Act now. Share this post—it might be the warning that saves a life.
🔨 kindly partner with R. Mizrachi chlita efforts of kiruv, kollelim and avrechim in E.Y. and Torah lectures