In honor of Henny Machlis's second yahrzeit this week, Aish.com is refeaturing this article.
What qualified Henny Machlis, who passed away this past Friday at the age of 57, as one of the world’s greatest Jewish women?
Jerusalemites would say it was her cooking for and serving up to 300 guests every Shabbos in her cramped Jerusalem apartment. The guests – almost 150 for the Shabbat night meal and over 100 for the Shabbat day meal – ranged from curious tourists and university students to lonely widows and singles to drunks and mentally ill people who considered the Machlis family’s love and warmth more delectable than even their ample food. Henny cooked 51 weeks a year (except only for the week of Pesach) from her tiny kitchen. Starting as newly-weds 35 years ago, the Machlises’ open Shabbos table expanded gradually over the years until the overflow of guests had to be seated in the courtyard and outside the front door. Henny’s great dream was to enclose the courtyard so guests could sit there even in the winter. Alas, she never lived to see her dream’s fulfillment.
credit: Joan Roth
The Machlises’ chesed was not restricted to Shabbat. Homeless people slept on their couches, some for weeks at a time, and those whose mental instability might have endangered the Machlises’ fourteen children were accommodated in the family van. When Rabbi Mordechai Machlis would leave for work as a teacher in the mornings, he would know how many van guests he had by the number of shoes in the windshield.
For those who gauge greatness by the level of selflessness a person attains, Henny also scored off the charts. At her funeral her oldest son Moshe recalled how, after he got married and moved away to start Kollel (full-time Torah learning), his mother encouraged him: “If you ever aren’t making it financially, tell me and I’ll sell my jewelry.”
“Ima,” Moshe called out in a tearful voice, “you forgot that you didn’t have any jewelry. They had all been stolen by the guests over the years. And your diamond ring – you loaned it to someone twenty years ago, and never got it back.”
Being treated for cancer in New York’s Sloan-Kettering, Henny was sometimes visited by the unfortunates who – even those decades older than she – considered Henny their mother. When one homeless woman came to visit, Henny gave her her bed. A relative discovered Henny, wrapped in a hospital blanket, wandering in the hospital corridor looking for a place to lie down.
Henny’s son Moshe was pushed aside at the crowded funeral by one of the Machlises’s mentally ill “regular guests,” who proclaimed, “I have to get closer. She’s my mother.”
For those who equate spiritual greatness with God-consciousness, with the ability to see God’s hand always and everywhere, Henny had indeed achieved those spiritual heights. At the funeral, a tearful Rabbi Machlis related just one story: He invited a destitute man whom he always saw at the Kotel (Western Wall) to come home with him to eat. That day Henny served her homemade whole-wheat pizza. The man loved it. He came back to their house every day asking for a slice of whole-wheat pizza. Finally, Henny suggested that she could teach him how to make whole-wheat pizza himself. Painstakingly and with infinite patience, Henny taught him how. One night several days later, at 3 AM, there was a knock on the door. “Not on the front door,” Rabbi Machlis related. “Our front door is always unlocked. Someone was knocking on our bedroom door.”
The loud knocking woke them up. Alarmed at what must be an emergency, Rabbi Machlis went to the door and asked, “Who’s there?” When the man identified himself, Rabbi Machlis asked, “What’s wrong?”
The man replied, “I forgot how to make whole-wheat pizza. I need your wife to explain it to me again.”
Rabbi Machlis was exasperated. “At 3 o’clock in the morning, you need to remember how to make whole-wheat pizza?”
But Henny calmed him down. “It’s a test,” she assured him. “It’s from Hashem.”
Then Henny reiterated to the man, step by step, how to make whole-wheat pizza.
Henny emanated radiant joy all the time.
For me personally, the sign of Henny Machlis’s greatness was the radiant joy she emanated all the time. Whenever I ran into her, her wide smile and the joyful light she radiated conveyed that seeing me was the best thing that had happened to her all day. And although I knew that she greeted everyone the same way, I nonetheless was charged by this encounter with a holiness and saintliness that lit up the world – or that tiny piece of the world where Henny Machlis stood.
The last time I saw Henny was several months ago, when she was briefly back in Jerusalem between surgeries and treatments at Sloan-Kettering. She had already been battling metastasized cancer for a couple agonizing years. I decided to drop in at her house, and braced myself to see the battle-weary and fear-worn look that characterized other cancer patients I had known. On the path to the Machlis house, there was Henny with one of her daughters, on her way to go to pray at the grave of the tzaddik Rav Usher. When she saw me, she gave me that same radiant smile and jubilant greeting that had always been her trademark – unmitigated by the cancer, the surgeries, the chemo, the long separations from her family, and the unexpected – and unwanted – turn her life had taken. Her joyful smile conveyed not just her stoic acceptance, but her happy acquiescence with the way God was running His world.
A mutual friend told me after Henny’s death, “When I was with her, I felt embraced by God.”
The question – indeed the challenge – of Henny’s life is: How did an ordinary Jew born to a regular middleclass family in Brooklyn in 1957 become so great?
Henny kept on going and giving and loving and inspiring.
Like the rest of us, she went to college. (She graduated Stern College with a B.S. in education.) Like most of us in our twenties, she had an ideal. Hers was to share the beauty and joy of Shabbos with the whole world. Like most of us, “reality” intruded in the actualization of the ideal. For the Machlises, the tremendous scale of their success cost them over $2500 every Shabbat, a financial load that defied Rabbi Machlis’s modest salary as a teacher supplemented by donations from well-wishers. But unlike most of us, their adamantine faith in God and love for the Jewish people kept them from compromising on their ideal. They mortgaged their apartment to the hilt, took out personal and bank loans – and kept on going.
As Henny once told me: “We are living in the midst of a spiritual holocaust. Most Jews today have no idea of the beauty and depth of Judaism. How can we not do everything in our power, including going into debt, to reach out to our fellow Jews?”
The only difference between Henny Machlis and the rest of us is the voice that asserts, “I’ve done enough. I don’t have to do more.” Henny never harkened to that voice. She kept on going and giving and loving and inspiring – until last Friday, when she was called to her Heavenly reward.
Now it’s up to the rest of us.
Click here to buy Sara Rigler’s best-selling biography of Henny Machlis, Emunah with Love and Chicken Soup, the Brooklyn-born girl who became a Jerusalem legend.
(26) Ari, October 23, 2020 7:37 PM
Amen! BDE and may her memory be a blessing!
(25) Anonymous, January 5, 2020 1:55 AM
This is very inspirational
I read about Mrs henny machlis a’h and it’s very touching how she did such major accomplishments in just 57 years of life
(24) Nancy, October 27, 2017 8:42 PM
I'm sorry I never got to meet her
However, I plan to read Sara Yocheved Rigler's book very soon. I have heard some excerpts from this fine book, and this wonderful woman has influenced me to recognize the good things I have in my life.
(23) ben k, October 22, 2017 6:33 PM
example of how great Jewish eomen can be
It was inspiring reading about Henny Machlis and how she hosted over 200 guests with her husband every shabbos and at all times of the day was available to help others. She was a shining example of the heights Jewish women can reach. An inspiration to us men as well. May her example shine for all of us.
(22) anonymous, October 22, 2017 1:18 PM
Holy Woman
I suggest everybody get and read the book Chicken Soup with Love about Henny's magnificent, holy and inspirational life. My sons can attest to the wonderful warm atmosphere of the Machlis home as they had the opportunity to be a part of their Shabbos table. One of my son's recently told me, that if it wasn't for the Machlis's he would have sat home alone on many Friday nights while in Israel. I only wish I could have had the opportunity to be one of her friends. She was truly an amazing and inspirational Holy Woman. May Hashem continue to bless the Machlis family with good health and the ability to continue to do their wonderful work and may her Neshama have an Aliyah!
(21) Michael, April 7, 2016 11:17 AM
A Mohter of Isreal who made the world a better place.
Our beloved Mother of Zion did so much good and greatness in one day then most of us do in a life time. Her final rest place should be a srine to all knowing she is looking after all of us. Mother Henny should be granted a very special place I the history of the world for all this beloved Mother has given to mankind. Her family should be awarded the Noble peace award to carry on her memory and love. Again, I cry for a Mother I have never met. I wish I could of hugged her, held and hand, and hear her words. Please Ms. Sara, share more article of Mother of Israel, Mother Henny. Ms. Sara, the Almighty has blessed you and your for many generations to come for you great work of writing.
May the Almighty bless all that invoke the beloved Name of Mother Henny.
Let us all remember Mother Henny in words spoken this Passover.
(20) Josh, October 22, 2015 9:40 AM
Epic Loss
Mortality is a tragedy when it comes to Mrs. Machlis. I wish she could still be here. She gave and gave from genuine love. Her departure from this earth is painful beyond words.
(19) Sarit Moas, October 21, 2015 5:53 PM
Yehie Zechra baruch
Her memory is a blessing and I choose to write here my condolences to Rabbi Machles and his holy entourage because he stressed that evey single guest contributed to gracing his shabbos table since everyone makes a difference! So, I add here my blessings of comfort, strength and well wishing which should also add more necessary heaing balm to such a raw wound. I participated in tehilim circle at the kotel for Henny and met her for a short time and her beaming encouragement and caring hizuk is well cherished. I went to Ohel Moshe , run by the Machles family, as a child and last year was flattered by being offered a teaching position there in NYC, in the interem I have been inspired by Rabbi Machles in Jerusalem to do chesed and especially visit the sick and needy and had the zcut to connect with Henny of blessed memory.
(18) Anonymous, October 20, 2015 10:56 PM
So inspirational
מי כעמך ישראל
(17) alyssa, October 20, 2015 3:21 PM
Beautiful woman. Thank you for sharing her story. I am truly inspired
(16) D.K.Milgrim-Heath, October 20, 2015 8:07 AM
The Huge Spiritual Holocaust That The World Calls Confusing : Continuation
Emphatically I repeat :Love Thy neighbor as thyself we're God's beloved children so the 21st century world must atone -
God blessed you Henny in all ways He truly blessed your life and soul-
That's what made you special in God's eyes so spiritually blessed
as all biblical Jewish matriachs and whole.
(15) Rabbi Pinchos Woolstone, October 20, 2015 3:30 AM
extraordinary
What an inspiration to every Jew everywhere. ברוך דיין האמת
(14) .D.K.Milgrim-Heath, October 20, 2015 1:43 AM
The Huge Spiritual Holocaust ThatThe World Calls Confusing
The Huge Spiritual Holocaust That The World Calls Confusing
By D.K.Milgrim-Heath©2015
The huge spiritual holocaust that the world calls confusing-
Since people are in Godly denial or forgetting Him are losing.
The Ten Commandments more than ever are worldly ignored-
They've become a myth as world violence escalates with political correctness these days aboard.
Countries teaching all children hatred via brainwashing
all around-
Is this the way brotherly love and tolerance will be found?
The most beloved Henny Machlis showed people the right way-
Kindness and tolerance for others will forever stay.
I've never met this spiritual angelic lady that has for years shown-
Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself-we're God's beloved children
(13) Devorah, October 20, 2015 12:15 AM
A Shabbos to Always Remember
What a tremendous loss for us klal yisroel. While I was single my freinds and I had a Shabbos meal at the Machlis house. It was incredible, they are truly selfless. You would think feeding so many people they would offer a very simple meal, but it wasn't. They would offer 2 types of soup in case someone was vegeterian , they had 3 types of kugel to choose from. There were all types of people at the home and they hosted each person with grace, love and chessed. With bH a home of my own now, I find it absolutely incredible how each Shabbos she prepared for so many and forsake her privacy for others. May her neshama have an aliya and her family be comforted.
(12) shulamis, October 19, 2015 7:16 PM
Where is Shiva?
Is anyone in the family sitting Shiva in NY?
Thank you for a beautiful inspiring article on a larger than life special woman in our times.
Jewish Mom, October 20, 2015 1:26 PM
Sitting in Flatbush
Her mother, brother and sister are sitting shiva in Flatbush:
1005 Ave K (between Coney Island Ave. & E 10th St.), Brooklyn, NY
(11) shira, October 19, 2015 6:25 PM
This beautiful article was read this morning on 91.1FM
Baruch Dayan Haemes.
Thank you.
(10) GS, October 19, 2015 3:29 PM
There are no words...
You are very brave for attempting to articulate how special of a Jew and human being this woman was... Your article was very heartwarming and well written.
I had known the rebbetzin for 23 years and there was something to learn from her with every interaction you had with her. A shining example for us as to how a person, through times of bath joy and adversity, walks with Gd, hand in hand. She was a teacher of emunah and bitachon, yet she should knew how to laugh things off and she never took herself too seriously. She served Gd with joy and was grateful for what was given to her.
I met with her in NY, like a month ago, and she viewed her illness as being something that Hashem wanted her to learn from. I admired her bravery greatly. This meeting, as well as many others, will forever shape the way I look at life.
(9) Anonymous, October 19, 2015 11:07 AM
It was really my 1st experience of shabbus in Israel coming to Machlis's
Wasn't frum yet, the warmth of the Friday night meal, everyone on trestle tables, a crazy guy yelling, singing and a very long challah.
May you only have simchas. with much love David (Melbourne, Australia)
(8) peter, October 19, 2015 9:41 AM
If you love human, hashem will stay your heart
Oh! i have got a lesson from her that i should not judge people.
(7) miriam, October 19, 2015 9:40 AM
Beautiful
Thank you for this beautiful article, I found it quite inspirational. I want to be like her when I grow up! (My kids might think I have grown up but I know I have a lot more growing up to do.)
Thanks for sharing this!
(6) Toby Katz, October 19, 2015 1:18 AM
She didn't know her own greatness
She was a precious neshama. For some years the Machlis's were neighbors of my late parents, R' Nachman and R'n Shaindel Bulman, aleihem hashalom -- in the Maalot Dafna neighborhood of Jerusalem, near Yeshivas Ohr Someach.
Henny and my mother became close friends, despite the difference in their ages. When I was sitting shiva for my mother two years ago Henna came to be menachem aveil. She told me that what she particularly loved about my mother was how self-effacing, down-to-earth and "real" my mother was, never thinking of herself as anything special, unaware that other women looked up to her in awe and admiration.
What Henny loved about my mother was also so true of herself, a walking talking living tzadekes who walked among ordinary people with no awareness of how special, extraordinary and admirable she herself was. Her passing is a sad loss to all those who had the zechus to know her. May Hashem comfort her family besoch she'ar aveilei Tzion v'Yerushalayim.
(5) Anonymous, October 18, 2015 9:49 PM
If ALL The Jewish People...
...were like Henny, there would be no 'need' for Moshiach...
I no longer read many articles, they are too superficial - the unembarrassed rich giving 'coins' to homeless for 'tzedakah', who should rather be shamed by myopic confessions, and empty platitudes of 'Torah' principles... everything so 'easy' to 'say', yet does not translate to 'action'...
That this jewel should be taken from this earth so early, and in such a way, does not speak of HaShem's 'love' and 'benevolence, but rather judgment.
Not of Henny. But of the rest of us - that we are not worthy of her.
Her life was, and is, in the World To Come, everything that Torah was meant to convey and teach...
(4) Sharona, October 18, 2015 7:35 PM
May her light shine on. She was an amazing person, who spread so much love. We can and should continue on her mission of spreading the beauty and love of Torah and love of fellow Yidden. When we invite guests for Shabbos and light the candles, we keep it going.
(3) Anonymous, October 18, 2015 6:23 PM
I am in shock
Henny Machlis is my role model, the prototype of a Jewish woman who has made the most of dedicating her life to Hashem and the Jewish people. I am a Hashkafa teacher in a Jewish High School, and every year, when I teach the subject of “Who am I”, I encourage my students to explore their strengths and use them to serve Hashem and the Jewish people. I tell them several stories, and the first story is always about Henny Machlis. (I use the articles from Aish.com). I have suggested that my students visit the Machlis family when they go to Israel during their seminary year and to give their Maaser money to her fund. On their final exams, they often write that her story is
the most inspiring one of the year.
Her gift to the Jewish people, including myself and my students, will continue to live on, but what a loss to Klal Yisroel. I can only remind myself what my father told me when I was 5 and my mother passed away at the age of 27: “she was such a tzadekes; she fulfilled her tachlis, and Hashem wanted her back with Him”. I was so proud of my mother for being so special to Hashem that I asked him innocently: “so why are you crying?” Today I understand why he cried, and I understand why the Jewish people are crying for the loss of Henny Machlis.
Thank you Sara Yocheved Rigler for giving us a glimpse into this unbelievable woman's life. My she be a meilitz yosher for all of Klal Yisroel during these trying times.
(2) Anonymous, October 18, 2015 6:18 PM
So why did a "merciful" Hashem take her so young and so painfully? Why did the people she helped steal from her? What changed?
Shoshana-Jerusalem, October 18, 2015 7:18 PM
We can't know
It is very heartbreaking and painful, and we ask, "why?" But we cannot know G-d's reasons, nor can we fathom the Divine intelligence, and He certainly does not owe us an explanation.
But what we must understand is that He is merciful and kind and loves us more than we love ourselves and knows what is better for us more than we know.
Lisa, October 18, 2015 8:40 PM
We need to learn from her selflessness!
No one stole from her...& nothing changed...it was all GD's plan!!
(1) Gila, October 18, 2015 6:10 PM
A tsedekis that shines like a torch
She was incomparable. May her memory be for blessings upon blessings. May all be comforted by Hamakom. I was blessed to have known her, even a little.