01 Sep LIVE THE LIST

Israel, June 1982. The First Lebanon War. It
is also known as Operation Peace in the
Galilee – Shalom HaGalil, for it was fought
with the hope to protect the communities in
Israel’s north. The prime objective was to
move PLO forces away, in order to stop
rockets from being fired into Israel.
One of the most difficult battles was the
Battle of Sultan Yakoub, where a group of
tanks were ambushed by enemy forces.
Twenty-one IDF soldiers were killed and
over thirty were injured.
After the battle, there were three missing.
Israel stands by its commitment to bring
every soldier home. They didn’t give up.
No matter how many years passed. It is now
44 years later, and the remains of the last
missing soldier, Yehuda Yekutiel Katz hy”d
were brought home. While his parents, Sara
and Yosef Katz, did not live to see his
return, his siblings, who never gave up
hope, saw him laid to rest and sat shiva for
him.

The Times of Israel reported that following
a secretive recovery mission, not only did
the IDF together with Mossad locate
Yehuda’s body, but they were also able to
find some of his personal belongings.
Amongst them, was a small handwritten
note found in Yehuda’s uniform pocket.
IDF Sergeant First Class Yehuda Katz, a
tank gunner in battle, took time out to pen
personal kabbalos. The note was a list of 6
kabbalos, 6 personal commitments Yehuda
took upon himself.
1. Say Tehillim every day and Tikun
HaKlali.
2. Strive not to speak devarim betailim
(conversations without purpose) in the
Beis HaMidrash.
3. Eat with moderation.
4. Increase tefillos, tachanunim (heartfelt
appeals for compassion) and
hisbodedus (meditation) before
Melech Malchei Hamlochim Hakadosh
Boruch Hu.
5. Wake up earlier in the morning, before
davening.

6. Go to mikva at least every erev
Shabbos.
How great are the soldiers of Israel.
Rabbi Boruch Wieder, Rosh Yeshiva
of Yeshivat HaKotel, fought
alongside Yehuda. He described
him as “A righteous man, a scholar
and a fighter, but also very gentle in
spirit”.
I had the z’chus to accompany my
mother on one of her many speaking
tours to the IDF. I remember her
describing chayalei Yisroel, the
soldiers, defenders of Israel, with
words in Av HaRachamin, a tefilla
said on Shabbos before Musaf.
… “The holy congregations who gave their
lives for kiddush HaShem, who were
beloved and pleasant in their lifetime, and
in their death were not parted (from
HaShem). They were quicker than eagles
and stronger than lions, to do their Creator’s
will…”
As we know, there are no coincidences, but
a reason for everything that happens in the
world around us. We must just look at
what is occurring, and ask ourselves what
is the lesson to be learned.
It is now chodesh Elul, our time to prepare
for Rosh HaShanah. To contemplate how
we can improve ourselves, and what
changes we can make in our lives. Even
decades after his death, Yehuda Katz is
speaking to us. He left behind a note, a list
of kabbalos that was discovered during
chodesh Elul. Why Elul? Is it not a
message to us that if he, a soldier fighting
a most horrific battle, was able to write
his list, surely, we can write ours.
Yehuda’s note is a reminder to us – It’s
Elul, make your list of personal kabbalos
for the new year.
Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, the
Ramchal, (1707-1746), writes in Mesilas
Yesharim, Path of the Just, “… all
circumstances in this world are tests for
mankind.” It’s up to us to see our
challenges as opportunities for growth.
Yehuda Yekutiel certainly did. And
through his list, his name, his life, lives
on. A legacy of growth even during trying
circumstances.
When making our lists, we need not
berate and minimize ourselves. Instead of
concentrating on our weaknesses, think of
how to tap into our potential and increase
the good we can do.

Rav Yeruchim Levovits (1873-1936), the
renowned Mashgiach in pre-war Mir
Yeshiva, taught “As important as it is for
one to know his faults, it is even more
important to know his virtues, to know what
he can accomplish.” A positive, uplifting
thought, as we compose our “Elul list”. To
concentrate on our potential and put it into
action.
There is a well-known acronym for the
word Elul – “Ani l’dodi, v’dodi li, I am for
my beloved and my beloved is for me”.
(Shir HaShirim 6:3) Beautiful poetic words
written by Shlomo HaMelech. Words that
describe our love for HaShem and in return,
His love for us.
There is another acronym for the word Elul.
It is written in Megillas Esther, “Ish
l’reyeihu, u’matanos l’evyonim, A person is
for his friend, and gifts to the poor.”
(Megillas Esther 9:22).
Together, these pesukim describe the avoda,
tasks, of Elul. To work on both our personal
spiritual relationship with HaShem, and our
connection to our fellow man.
Parshas Nitzavim, which we read this week,
tells us “U’vacharta bachaim, And you shall
choose life.” (Devarim 30:19) We all have
our plans, our aspirations, our goals. Every
year, as we stand before HaShem on Rosh
HaShanah, we say that this year will be
different. And, at first it is. But sometimes,
we slowly go back to our old ways. Let’s
make this Rosh HaShanah different. Let’s
write our Elul list. Let’s try to fulfill our
potential. To work on having a stronger
connection to HaShem, and forging sincere,
heartfelt relationships with our fellow man.
This year, let’s not merely write our Elul
list. Let’s live it. L’zecher nishmas Yehuda
Yekutiel ben Yosef. For ourselves. For Klal
Yisroel. For Eretz Yisroel.