Last Shabbat, a friend and I decided to walk to the Machlis home to see who, if anyone was there. To our great delight we walked in and Rabbi Machlis himself was at the table. He had just flown in that day from America and it was hard to fathom how he could stay on his feet, teaching, smiling and running the Friday Shabbat meal for a huge crowd...maybe a hundred souls! Yet, there he was!
One of his daughters was also there with her husband, as were three of his sons. It should be noted that while the Rabbi has been away, his son Yoshua has been carrying a heavy load to organize and run all the meals in his absence. He looked exhausted but that did not stop him from energetically helping all to enjoy the Shabbat!
Of course, almost everyone there was mostly concerned with Rebbetzin Henny. You may have noticed that my postings of late have been to relay messages from a friend about her status. As the Rabbi put it, Henny is a very positive person (an understatement!). He said that when he spoke to her before Shabbat came in that she considered her status as a cup half full~ready to be filled to the top. In fact, it was Rebbetzin Henny who insisted the Rabbi come back to Jerusalem!
It was a great Shabbat evening and we were very happy that we decided to walk down.
My friend also went to the Rabbi's classes this week, and relayed to me that the Rabbi had spoken to Henny and he is expecting her to return to Jerusalem at the conclusion of her current treatments. This is good news indeed!
This is a family that that has given their all to multitudes of people around the world. Please, as we are nearing another Shabbat, remember them all in your prayers. Say Tehillim for Rebbetzin Henny, (Henna Rasha bat Yitta Ratza) and don't forget to include Rabbi Mordechai and all of their children.
Remember that they have all been through so much, and yet, during all this time have continued to provide meals and support for the tens of people who visit their home each day and every Shabbat. Only someone who has been there and seen their consistent love, care, and giving over so many years, can truly understand just how much they do.
I can't wait for Rebbetzin Henny to be back in the Jerusalem she loves, so I can remind her how much she is loved by me and thousands of others, and that Jerusalem (and Israel) is just not the same when she is not here!!
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