Parshat Ki Tetze contains many mitzvot. One in particular relates to a central theme of Elul and Rosh Hashanah: fostering and praying for mercy and compassion.

What is the purpose of the mitzvah of shiluach ha-ken, sending away the mother bird before taking her young or eggs? Mishna Berakhot teaches that one may not add to tefilla the statement: Be merciful with us as “Your mercy extends to a bird’s nest.” One explanation in the Gemara of this ambiguous teaching is that it is best not to attach reasons to mitzvot. Still, many biblical commentaries see a deep connection between shiluach ha-ken and the trait of compassion.

Rambam, in the Guide to the Perplexed, explains that if the Torah warns against causing such grief to birds, how much more careful should we be not to cause grief to people. The Ha’amek Davar highlights the bravery of the mother bird, whose instinct is to remain and protect her young – an image of compassion par excellence. The word rachamim (mercy) is also related to rechem (womb), evoking the compassion a mother feels toward her child. Perhaps for this reason, mothers – Sarah, Hagar, and Hannah – feature prominently in the Rosh Hashanah liturgy, when we pray fervently for God’s compassion.

The shofar, blown throughout Elul in the lead-up to Rosh Hashanah, is also associated with rachamim. According to the Midrash, God called Moshe to ascend Mount Sinai a second time on Rosh Chodesh Elul. The shofar was blown then to awaken the people to repentance as they sought God’s mercy and forgiveness.

By emulating the compassion God shows us – toward others and toward ourselves – we merit the words of the Talmud: “Anyone who has compassion for God’s creatures will receive compassion from Heaven.” Shabbat Shalom🇮🇱 -Karen Miller Jackson