By Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin

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.