It was my last Shabbat in Jerusalem the holiest city of the world, yet I felt after a year’s stay, I had yet one more experience to encounter: visiting the reputed “Avraham and Sarah” of our generation, the Machlis family. They are known to be the family with many, many guests who show up to their door- unannounced.  

Failing to find any other girl who would give up their last chance to be with their friends, I headed on this journey alone. With very vague directions to a destination over an hour’s walk away, I had luckily managed to find the home of the Machlis.  

As the sun was setting on this Shabbat afternoon, it was obvious that I had reached their home, despite the fact that it was my first time going. Their door was wide open. There was a bright sign on their door which read, in Hebrew and English alike:  

“Welcome! We are so ‘delighted’ to have you!” Below it were the times they were to eat the three Shabbat meals, and underneath it all, three lines of blessings, such as “Hashem should fulfill your hearts’ requests for good” and “you should be happy, healthy, rich…”etc. This was just the door, and already, I was in awe. It was almost as if they had requested for me to go over their house, and as if I did not make any sacrifice in risking getting lost without any way of contacting anyone I knew (it was Shabbat, and I did not carry my cell-phone with me). I had felt so welcomed I had forgotten how tired I was. 

Finally, I entered. Immediately, I noticed the estimate of the 70 seated guests listening to a man say a speech. Men, women and children ranging from different ages, all coming from different sects of Judaism, Israelis and foreigners, religious and secular, well-dressed and some poor, all crowded and seated. Before I had the chance of feeling out of place with no seat, I was instantly invited by a few girls, the residents of the home, who motioned with their hands and faces, “Come, sit here, sit here!”  As I went to sit down, I had learned that the speaker was also a guest, honored to speak in front of the crowd. As I was served food, the next speaker the father of the home stood up to speak. I was absolutely amazed by his speech. Mr. Machlis took his time to simultaneously translate his words into English and Hebrew, so that all of his guests would understand and absorb his holy words of Torah. During this time, I continued to observe the unique setting of this special home. It was a small apartment in size, with a heart that could fit the entire world. All of the walls in that living room, with their whole entirety were covered with holy books, from top to bottom, left to right. I could honestly say that I can only recall the door of the home lacking books.   

After the meal, we were served dessert. I was auspicious enough to say the blessing (a.k.a. “Shehekianu”) said over the new fruits of the season-twice. It was astonishing how this family was able to provide for their guests lusciously like this.

I just had to find out more. When the mother of the house had finally taken a break and sat down across from me, I jumped on the opportunity to interview her about what she does.  

It turns out that she is the mother of 10+ children. For the longest time, she and her husband have had guests, and the number of guests continued to grow over the years. It came to the point that the financial burden was too straining on the family, so now they are supported with charity funds. They have continuously changed the lives of so many people, hungry ones who turn there for food, and spiritually hungry ones who turn to this family to search for a source of meaning in their lives. 

With this short chat, the meal was concluded with the Grace After Meals blessing. The father of the home announced that his next door neighbor was sitting in mourning, and that we all had the opportunity to fulfill the mitzvah of comforting the mourner by paying the neighbor a visit. Most of his guests followed his lead and paid a visit to the lady. By that time, the stars had come out in the sky and Shabbat was over. With Havdallah said (a ceremony which marks the symbolic end of Shabbat), the guests followed Mr. Machlis and his family back to his home. It was their turn to say Havdallah at his home, as was his weekly ritual. 

With the blessing of the wine said, it was turn to turn off the lights and the Havdallah candle was lit. 

THEN came the moment that marked the whole experience.

The room was dim with the only source of light being the raised Havdallah candle. This scene is etched into my memory as if it was some out-of-this-world painting; The father seated saying the blessing, the son standing with the candle raised, and the only things reflected by the light was all the faces of the guests, with the background of the holy bookshelves on the wall. If I had the opportunity to take a picture of just this moment, I would have guard this picture with my life. It was absolutely astonishing! 

May the Machlis continue to serve as a source of light to the world. 
 
 

There is a mitzvah called “ma’aser,” the tithing of one’s income for charity. One unique aspect of this mitzvah is that it is even permitted to give ma’aser in order to “test” G-d to determine to see if one will become rich by fulfilling this commandment.¹  

What greater fulfillment can there be than supporting the spread of Torah and feeding poor people in the holy of the holiest places in the world?  

To support the one may make a contribution (which is tax deductible in the United States) to: American Friends of Hesed L'Orchim, 552 E. 5th St., Brooklyn, NY 11218. 

To read more on the Machlis, click here.