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Name: Rachel Brundstafer Added: November 10, 2009 Country: UK

I'm not Jewish but my husband and I recently had the enjoyment of a Shabat meal with the Machlis family on our visit to the Holy Land with our baby daughter Odelia. We had tears in our eyes when we entered the room and saw how beautiful an example they make of Jews living in Israel. We have always loved the Jewish People as the people of the book but now we feel like we have a deeper understanding of why they are the chosen people of God.

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Name: Cecilia Kuliniasi Added: November 8, 2009 Country: Papua New Guinea	I'm a gentile believer in the God of Isra'el and have been interested in Judaism for some time.I could not help the tears as I read about the beautiful way you minister to so many through Shabat. I pray G-d's richest blessings upon you both and your children. May He supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

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Name: Ilan Braun Added: November 8, 2009 Country: France	I wish I could visit you as another simple guest, just for the pleasure, the blessing and honor to be among you! Your home ia apparently just next to Gan Eden! G' bless you and all your family for all you are doing for people! Ilan (excuse my English!)

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Name: DR JONATHAN BODANSKY Added: November 8, 2009 Country: uk

Thank you very much Rabbi and Rebbetzin Machlis, for your kind hospitality at lunch on shabbat lech lecha. My Son Samuel was desperate to read from a torah at the Kotel as it was his barmitzvah anniversary and Rabbi Machlis was exceptionally kind in allowing a stranger to have an aliya and read at his minyan at the wall. We were then invited for kiddush and for lunch. This was a truly moving experience in seeing the genuine kindness and warmth of the family. So many people came to be with them and there was a lovrely shabbat atmosphere. We shall never forget your kindness to complete strangers. keep up the good work !!!!!

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Name: jitxzign Added: November 7, 2009 Country: higreeti	vytorin over the internet fast

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Name: Orly Added: November 6, 2009 Country: USA

The Machlis Experience- A Journal Entry 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 enter. 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. THIS was 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 inspiring moment, I would have guarded this picture with my life. It was absolutely astonishing! May the Machlis continue to serve as a source of inspiration and shed light unto 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] (Rama Y.D. 247:4)

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Name: Anonymous Added: October 20, 2009 Country:

I recently had the experience of coming to help out a man in dire dire need... and it was only at that moment, when I'd realized how Central (to-God's-desires) a thing I'd done did I come to TRULY have an inkling of real awe of Rabbi Machlis. What I did was exemplary and precisely in line with Yishayahu's teachings that we read in the Yom Kippur haftorah and as I mulled the matter and communed with god about it, I was awestruck as the image of Rabbi Machlis came to me and how he LIVES this way his whole life. I don;t have the ability to describe in words how sincerely and humbly awestruck I am by Rabbi Machlis so I'll just say no more on the subject. What I CAN put in the words though is the please to God that Rabbi Machlis NEVER have to struggle to be able to do the awesome amount of God's work that he does. People throw amazing amounts of money around at all sorts of charities, there are none however that are as effective with their dollars as Rabbi Machlis and his Aishes Chayil, Henny are. Maybe the Shabbos experiences and the inner sanctity and pure holiness that he radiates inspires people (myself included) to make some kind of donation but that's not what SHOULD inspire us. In fact, since my epiphany the other day (when I gave something small to a homeless man and likely improved his life by a factor of ten through that tiny gift that he so desperately required even if he didn't realize it) I now need no inspiration at all. The Machlises do EXACTLY what God asks us to do throughout all of the Torah! They clothe the naked, they take the lowly of spirit INTO THEIR HOME, they share their precious time and cares and love and joyous enthusiasm and teachings ALONG WITH THE FOOD that they give to the hungry. MY God! Rabbi Machlis needs some small amounts of money to be able to continue doing all of this, how in the hell can we not give it to him? Yes, I'm inspired by him and I feel close to God when I speak to him and I appreciate his teachings and his love and all that, but should I give him a few bucks because it makes me feel good? L'hefech! Now that I understand how crucial his work is and how world changing it is as he changes lives of Holy Jews every single day, I'd feel sick NOT to give him a few hundred dollars so that he isn't forced to stop being the tzaddik that he is and do the tikkun olam that he does. I don't feel comfortable discussing here what I have done or will do to help Rabbi Machlis, nor my disappointment at the fact that it won't be anywhere near the level of the tens of thousands of dollars that I know he really needs right now. I similarly don't feel comfortable in this comment recommending or begging that you go the highest paypal denomination button that you can and you donate as well so that this tzaddik isn't forced to stop saving all of the neshamas that he saves. But if I felt comfortable doing so I would beg you to please save the Machlis tzedaka from going under. There's no one else in the world like him and I now know myself how crucial and amazing it is what they do with every dollar that they have.

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Name: Alfonso A Jacobo Added: August 23, 2009 Country: United States of America	:-) Thank you for the GREAT Shabbat dinners and lunches!!! Food for the body and for the soul. It is a good thing you are doing in Yerushalayim! May you and your family be blessed with all good. Kol Tov Alfonso Aaron Jacobo

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Name: Miriam and David Hochstein Added: August 23, 2009 Country: Mexico

Rabby Mordechai, Henny and all the Machlis family: Our dear ones: (Shetichyu) It was a plasure tu speak with you (Henny) by telephone. It gives so much joy to hear you and to know how your Chessed and Orchim is improving and increasing. It is such a Zechus to know you, be your friend and also to be working at your home - I know it was like 20 years ago, but, I remember that and I aprecciate it with very warm feelings. Thank you for everything, maybe you don't have the idea how much you have helped me to have a better aproach about Judaism, people, Yerushalaim, and love ---- a lot, really, thank you for being with me, for giving me the oportunity of being part of such a special family. Y'shar Koach! Jazakim Uberuchim! Hashem shall bless you with all the Brochos that you give to the other (it's great your messages in your answering machine), and with all the Brochos from the Torah. He shall accomplish for the best all the desires of your heart, and He shall help you to be allways in the way of Chessed, like you do, and more each day. Lots of love,

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Name: Chaya Leah Added: August 23, 2009 Country:	I just read Sora Yocheveds article about your unbeleivable hachnosas orchim.. I am an ordinary housewife and mother and I was able to gain a tremedous lesson on my level (having guests at my house is not uncommon) to daven when I cook that simcha and love for Hashem enter the souls of those eating my food- is such a beautiful and practical message. Thanks for the inspiration.

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