Transcript [00:00] With the help of God, I hope to go home [00:01] tomorrow night. And uh if you ask me, [00:03] okay, how many people are coming Friday [00:04] night? Approximately 100 people Friday [00:07] night. Approximately 100 people. The [00:09] second meal, approximately 30 me 30 [00:11] people. If you want to know how many [00:13] people are going, I don't know. Uh [00:16] people stopped calling a long long time [00:17] ago. He comes to the back. Bang. [00:25] I forgot the recipe. I don't know how to [00:26] make it. Could you get up and and teach [00:28] me how to make? It was about 3:30 [00:31] and Henny uh so I I was ready to I was [00:35] I'm not on her level but you know he's [00:37] crazy like it was 3:30 let him eat [00:40] whatever there was a lot of food in the [00:41] kitchen and he said no no it's just it's [00:43] just a test Hashem is testing she got [00:45] dressed she went out and she taught him [00:47] how to make holy pizza I can remember [00:49] that she passed away on Friday afternoon [00:53] in the house [00:55] and uh [00:58] that Friday night was my grandson's [01:00] arbit. [01:05] I said, "Every time I get into a mode of [01:07] Shabbat." I said, "Every time I get into [01:08] a mode of morning, just squeeze my [01:10] hand." And I spoke at the ba. [01:12] >> How did one family end up serving well [01:14] over half a million meals to strangers [01:16] for over 40 years, Rabbi Morai Mahas and [01:18] his late wife Henny opened their [01:21] Jerusalem home every Shabas to anyone [01:23] who walked in. No invitations. homeless [01:26] men off the street, yeshiva boys who [01:28] lost their way and the archbishop of [01:30] Cantbury with 35 bishops and a [01:33] missionary from Long Island who showed [01:34] up to convert Jews and so many more [01:37] people. This is the story of the most [01:40] open house in Urusam and what happens [01:43] when one family decides to feed the [01:45] world. This episode is in memory of Shim [01:47] David Byakova and Mimarbasakov Mosha and [01:50] you will hear more from our friends at [01:52] Jwed Wales Kabar and Bin. Here we go. [01:57] Thank you so much Rabbi Mas for taking [01:59] your time to be here and to do this. [02:01] >> Thank you for allowing to me to be here. [02:03] >> So can you take us back to the beginning [02:05] where you're originally from and what [02:07] your childhood was like? [02:08] >> I think we're all from Harai. [02:11] It goes back many thousands of years [02:13] before. [02:14] >> I don't think you were born on harina. [02:15] >> No, that's I think that's the last time [02:17] we met. [02:18] >> Right. Yes. [02:19] >> You've changed a little since then. Uh I [02:21] was brought up in Brooklyn, New York [02:24] and in Bener in Brooklyn and that's [02:27] where I lived till uh I was privileged, [02:29] thank God, to get married and to move to [02:32] a ter Israel. [02:34] >> Now in I don't know maybe it's your [02:37] childhood or maybe you're by someone's [02:38] home. You're famously known, you and [02:41] your wife, Alam, to open your home to [02:44] whoever needs a meal. Did you see that [02:47] growing up? Was there a story there or [02:50] did it just naturally happen? [02:52] >> I think it's the story that's most well [02:54] known to all students of Torah, to all [02:57] students of the Bible. [02:59] I think my wife and I were very inspired [03:01] by Abraham and Sarah, our [03:03] great-grandfather, great-grandmother, [03:06] and we took it really to heart even when [03:08] we were going out. We had this joint [03:10] dream of moving to your shalam and maybe [03:13] opening up our homes to whoever wants to [03:15] come center of the world, the holiest [03:17] place. And each of us comes from a [03:19] family of rabbis. I grew up in a home [03:22] where hospitality was part of what we [03:25] were we were breathing constantly. My [03:28] father was a a rabb of a congregation [03:30] and very often I was the one responsible [03:33] making sure this one finds a place. [03:35] People didn't have places for Shabbat. [03:36] So we tasted it. My wife's family also [03:40] very much connected to hospitality. So, [03:44] do you remember I know it's maybe a hard [03:46] question, but do you remember the first [03:48] meal that you had where it wasn't just, [03:50] you know, friends or family that came [03:52] over, but it was people that you [03:54] started? [03:54] >> We were married with Hashem in in New [03:56] York ones Nissan, which is March 28th. [04:01] It was planning to I was trying to teach [04:04] and we're planning to move to Israel in [04:06] July and uh we were offered it was a [04:09] three months. We offered a basement [04:11] apartment here. We decided to rent an [04:13] apartment and we rented a two-bedroom [04:15] apartment. And many of the people that [04:18] knew us thought it was very unusual. We [04:19] just getting married. We, you know, you [04:21] plan on sleeping in separate bedrooms. [04:22] Like, wait, what? What's And we started [04:25] having guests very close to the time [04:26] that we got married. They were homeless [04:28] people. I remember particular couple [04:31] from Barupar collecting charity on 13th [04:34] Avenue. And uh she came and she was [04:37] pretty much a regular in our home for [04:39] the period till uh till we moved to [04:40] Israel. So the first meal yeah not long [04:44] after [04:46] >> I remember my time in Israel as by Rabbi [04:48] San Yeshiva and [04:50] >> not far from us [04:51] >> not very far at all. And it was it was a [04:53] famous thing if you needed a meal you [04:54] you would go to to your home and you [04:57] would [04:59] What's the [05:00] >> Did you have a car? [05:01] >> I came actually I mean we can say this [05:02] on air. I came but I came very last [05:05] second and it was already like too full [05:06] and it was too full. So I didn't I [05:09] publicly apologized. It's all good but [05:11] remember too full. I mean the whole the [05:13] whole notion is that there's room for [05:14] everybody and you didn't feel [05:16] comfortable. So that's why we're [05:18] meeting. I I hereby apologize publicly [05:21] for you not feeling comfortable in my [05:22] house. [05:22] >> It wasn't it wasn't likely you know like [05:24] I I came 10 minutes before like it was [05:26] too less. I kind of just decided I'm not [05:28] going to eat in yeshiva. It was fine. I [05:30] ate in yeshiva. I know that there are [05:31] people that come every week after we [05:33] finish and they're not interested in my [05:36] teachings. They're not interested in me [05:38] songs. They're interested in they just [05:39] want to eat, leave me alone. So they [05:41] figure out when I go to sleep and we [05:43] have like groups of people coming in [05:45] different hours of the night [05:47] >> in the afternoon this past Shabbat. I [05:49] mean you know many people came in after [05:52] midnight and after 4:00 we can finish [05:55] the uh the day meal and these are the [05:57] people you know [05:59] they're not interested in certain things [06:01] that we're offering. They're interested [06:02] in maybe hopefully a delicious challenge [06:06] some hot food. Would you know your [06:08] average of the amount of people that are [06:12] there? I know it's a hard question [06:13] because it's always different, but if [06:14] there's an average, [06:15] >> I'll try to answer it, but first I want [06:17] to say that I think that every person is [06:19] an entire world. And maybe there's some [06:21] people who hear numbers and they think, [06:23] "Oh, I can't have 100 people for a [06:25] meal." Okay, but you have one person is [06:27] like the whole world. Hashem created the [06:29] world. One one man, one woman, the whole [06:31] world. Approximately 100 people. Friday [06:34] night, approximately 100 people. uh [06:37] second meal approximately 30 meal 30 [06:39] people for third meal that's that's an [06:42] approximate number and it could vary and [06:43] there's no way of knowing in other words [06:45] with the help of God I hope to go home [06:46] tomorrow night and uh if you ask me okay [06:49] how many people are coming Friday night [06:51] if you say you're going to be joining so [06:53] maybe [06:54] >> uh Mashiach will come and yes I will I [06:56] will guess [06:57] >> yes okay good so we have at least one [06:59] guess if you want to know how many [07:00] people are going I don't know uh people [07:03] stopped calling a long long time ago [07:05] then where we [07:07] they just show up. [07:09] >> So, could you I know it's hard cuz [07:12] you've been doing this for over 40 [07:14] years. Could you describe some of the [07:17] most impactful stories and I I know I I [07:21] hate when people ask I I was telling [07:22] your son on the phone that like people [07:23] tell me like what's your favorite [07:24] podcast? What I It's very hard to [07:27] answer, but I guess I'm unfairly asking [07:29] you that question. Um I I'm sure there's [07:31] >> Was it Hill that said that which is [07:33] despicable to you do not do to anyone [07:35] else? [07:35] >> Yes. Yes. [07:38] >> They're difficult. John, [07:40] >> I'll tell you. I don't know which I [07:41] don't know where to start. I mean, as [07:43] you can imagine, the there are many [07:44] stories and [07:47] uh I can tell the story I told the [07:49] funeral, my wife's funeral. [07:52] Uh and there it was the same issue. We [07:55] didn't have that long. Was on a Friday [07:56] afternoon and it was a whole story with [07:59] the with the burial. Uh and I knew I had [08:01] to speak or I wanted to speak. Wanted to [08:04] tell a story also. [08:06] How am I supposed to pick a story? So [08:07] this is a story I told. So this has [08:09] historical value besides it was a story [08:11] about one of our distinguished guests. [08:14] Uh I was privileged to meet him many [08:17] times at the hotel at the Western Wall. [08:20] And uh he had two chairs at the hotel. [08:23] One he sat on and one was his bags. I [08:26] guess his life uh savings or all of his [08:30] property. And I kept inviting him and [08:31] inviting him and inviting him. He never [08:34] wanted to come, but I didn't give up. [08:36] Thank God. And uh he said he's busy. [08:38] He's this. He finally came. And for some [08:41] great reason that Hashem blessed us, he [08:44] liked the house. He started coming. But [08:46] he had very unusual hours and he would [08:48] come whenever he wanted. [08:52] And Henny had studied Henny was my wife. [08:55] Henny had studied uh nutrition. She very [08:59] much uh was into cooking and baking and [09:02] uh he particularly liked pizza [09:07] and uh okay so she used to make pizza [09:09] and then I remember Henny made whole [09:12] wheat pizza whole wheat pizza whole [09:14] wheat homemade pizza he loved it and [09:16] every time he would come oh we he come [09:19] 10:30 11:30 okay and he said instead of [09:24] me having to make pizza I'm going to [09:25] teach you how to make pizza so She set [09:28] up a lesson in the kitchen for our dear [09:31] friend and she taught him how to make [09:33] homemade. I don't know how to do it but [09:35] he did and Eddie did and that was it. [09:38] Worked for few months and uh then came [09:42] one night and the door wasn't locked at [09:43] night. He'd come in whenever he wants [09:45] you know and all the ingredients were [09:48] there. Uh one night in the middle of the [09:51] night there was heavy banging on our [09:53] bedroom door. Now, the way our house [09:55] works, you're going to be coming Friday [09:56] night, so you'll see. I'll show you. Uh, [09:59] we have like a door between the front [10:00] part of the house and the bedrooms. [10:02] That's like a, you know, that's a do not [10:05] enter zone. I I need it for my sanity. [10:09] Yeah. Okay. He comes He comes to the [10:10] back. Bang. [10:17] I forgot the recipe. I don't know how to [10:18] make it. Could you get up and and teach [10:20] me how to make? So, it was about 3:30 [10:23] and Henny, [10:25] so I I was ready to [10:27] >> I was I'm not on her level, but you [10:28] know, he's crazy. It was 3:30. Let him [10:32] be whatever. There's a lot of food in [10:33] the kitchen. Henny said, "No, it's just [10:34] it's just a test. Hashem is testing." [10:37] She got dressed. She went out and she [10:39] taught him how to make whole wheat [10:40] pizza. And [10:44] u maybe the pizza was I tell a story [10:46] about uh I don't know the archbishop of [10:49] Canterbury, [10:50] >> please. His secretary called me up and [10:52] said that he heard about our Shabbat. [10:55] He wants to come to our house with 35 [10:58] bishops and archbishops. [11:01] He was very hesitant, you know. I mean, [11:04] thank God we've had many nonju but [11:08] so I consulted with one of the great [11:09] rabbis in your life and he said, "Well, [11:12] just cancel that Shabbat." [11:15] He said, "What do you want?" I said, [11:16] "Well, who knows? Maybe he's going to [11:18] speak and [11:20] maybe they'll be more positively [11:21] influenced by him than by me and I don't [11:23] know and they're coming for Jewish [11:26] experience and they're going to listen [11:27] to the head of the Church of England. He [11:29] said, "Okay, so cancel Shabbat and only [11:30] invite your close relatives, your [11:33] friends, your students." He said, "I [11:35] can't cancel Shabbat. This is weird." [11:37] No, just make announcements the next [11:38] couple of weeks. Okay. I said yes to [11:40] them and I said, "Uh, on such and such a [11:42] date, there's no meals." Okay, it didn't [11:44] work because the people that I announced [11:46] didn't show up, but other people did. [11:47] The house was filled and thank God it [11:50] went well. I I made two conditions I [11:52] think that they can't wear any public uh [11:55] expressions of of the church. They all [11:57] came in business suits and ties and that [12:01] uh I don't want any press. I guess it's [12:03] the opposite, right? Talking about this [12:04] on a on a podcast. It goes against my [12:07] own rules. But I said, you know, because [12:08] many places he went in, he was followed [12:10] by reporters. There was no reporter. No, [12:14] we've had we've had many many uh many [12:17] many people who have come to us who were [12:19] very had a very very bitter taste from [12:22] religious experiences. That's a very [12:25] painful part of what we you know in [12:27] other words uh they had gone to yeshiva [12:30] they had gone to seminaries they had [12:33] gone to great institutions of Torah may [12:35] they all be blessed I'm not saying it's [12:37] a reflection on the institution but [12:39] there was something about it that just [12:41] turned them off completely they came to [12:44] our house I think many of them looking [12:46] for like another haven of expression of [12:48] how terrible religion is and [12:52] you I don't want to talk about myself, [12:54] but I think some of them changed their [12:56] uh we used to have somebody sitting [12:58] right at my table. Um and he he went to [13:02] a one of the most distinguish [13:05] they sat there every week without a [13:07] without a uh kea and I think he was [13:10] waiting for me. I mean I picked it up [13:12] you know he's sitting right there and [13:13] and there around but I don't I don't [13:16] insist that anyone. He was waiting. I I [13:19] never said anything and I think he uh I [13:21] think he was a certain level and he kept [13:23] coming back coming back and always [13:24] sitting at my table there were many [13:26] tables sitting at my table without his [13:27] keepa and can I tell you that today he's [13:30] the uh head you know mashpa and in the [13:34] yeshiva I can't say that I think maybe [13:36] we have we have thank god many uh thank [13:39] god I wish there would be no homeless [13:41] people in the world I pray for a world [13:43] where uh charity will be the most uh [13:47] obscure reference [13:48] In Jewish law, the the world we're in, [13:51] people saying, "I'm let's let's learn [13:53] about [13:55] can I use Hebrew words?" [13:56] >> Yeah. [13:57] >> People learn about learn about what [14:01] there are. No poor people. We pray for [14:03] that every day. There is a uh verse in [14:06] in in Deuteronomy. [14:13] There'll be a world without without a [14:15] union. I don't think we're there yet. [14:17] So, we have many people coming to our [14:20] home who are homeless and u [14:25] you know it [14:27] I I I wish I wish we had the means to [14:31] help all these people find really real [14:33] homes. Some of them just financial [14:36] issues. Many of it's emotional issues [14:37] and social issues, family issues. Thank [14:40] God there are many many people. We have [14:42] people sleeping on couches. Uh we have [14:46] people sleeping on the floor. [14:49] We have I mean just last two weeks ago I [14:52] went to sleep. There was one of my [14:54] sons-in-law lives not not far sets up a [14:57] few mattresses because the couch was [14:59] taken inside. We have some couches in [15:01] the backyard also. And uh I went to [15:04] sleep. There was a man sleeping in the [15:07] bed in on those mattresses. And I woke [15:10] up and there was a woman sleeping on [15:11] those mattresses. It was a little [15:13] confusing to me, but he had gone to uh [15:16] Vati Kin. He had gone to dates. I guess [15:19] she had she was waiting. So about 4:30 [15:21] or 5:00, he took the same the same bed, [15:25] you know, but it's just a little [15:26] anything we're doing is only anything [15:28] we're doing is only a little drop in a [15:31] very large ocean. So, you know, no big [15:34] deal, but a little a little step. Were [15:36] you and your wife worried growing up? I [15:38] know can I know you have you have 14 [15:40] children that you know opening your home [15:42] I I think sometimes people are are [15:43] sometimes scared they don't know if the [15:45] kids are going to get influenced. How [15:47] did you and your wife uh combat that? [15:50] >> First of all we'll ask for you Abraa [15:52] that they should all can you give us a [15:54] blessing that they should all be [15:55] protected against any negative [15:56] influence? Could you bless us? [15:58] >> Oh your your family should uh be [16:00] protected from any negative your [16:02] families also all families. [16:04] >> Amen. I mean I think once someone once [16:05] told me a teaching in the name of [16:15] that Hashem has a special level of [16:17] blessing for those people involved in [16:18] trying to help others. We we constantly [16:21] prayed for this. We we were very worried [16:24] about it and uh I I hope you have to [16:27] speak to my children. [16:28] >> You're I mean your son's here. He looks [16:30] he looks great. [16:31] >> Thank God. [16:34] Hashem I mean you know [16:36] I I do hope that since they were part of [16:40] the process [16:42] they were they weren't just watching it [16:44] they were active in it they they were [16:46] talking to the people they were [16:47] interacting with the people and I hope [16:49] that they were bringing out the best in [16:50] each person and connecting to the [16:53] positive light I think speaks about the [16:57] he speaks about the [17:00] so they were taught to look for theva [17:03] in each one. I hope I hope it work. We [17:05] were also worried about the fact that [17:07] they should feel that they have enough [17:09] time that they have enough attention. [17:11] You know, you have people in your house. [17:13] So, we set up a uh concept of a private [17:19] family meal before the before the [17:21] general meal on the on the door. It says [17:23] the times of the meal and the door is [17:25] locked and the only ones who are there [17:27] the early meal are the family. Hopefully [17:29] that of course that doesn't always work [17:31] because there are some people who are [17:33] very offended. What do you mean family? [17:36] >> I'm as much family as as he is. And the [17:39] door was locked. I remember. And it was [17:42] a Friday night [17:44] and he banging and banging and banging [17:46] and banging. If you don't open the door, [17:48] I'm going to do something drastic. We [17:50] had a little discussion at the table. [17:52] No, he got a threat. Yeah. [17:54] And he he he's a person who externally [17:58] uh [18:00] I mean I don't I don't want to condemn [18:01] anyone. I he does keep Shabbat. He went [18:04] over to the electric box. He turned off [18:06] all the lights and the [18:07] >> turn off all the electricity. Are you [18:09] going to open up the door now? And we [18:11] were sitting there by candle light [18:13] enjoying the family meal till we opened [18:14] it. [18:15] >> So I don't know you. We try. Is it 100% [18:19] successful? Is anything? No, we we try [18:22] and a lot of my wife especially was very [18:26] much into uh turning to and praying that [18:30] they should never have any kind of [18:31] negative influence and we try to [18:34] continue that tradition. you know, Clal [18:37] Israel, we're known to be an amazing [18:39] nation, but unfortunately also there are [18:41] times, and I'm even thinking now, where [18:44] there's two sides, different opinions, [18:46] and and there's unfortunately fighting [18:48] that going that's going on. But [18:50] >> I'm sorry to hear that. [18:51] >> From your experience, it seems like [18:53] you've had literally every kind of Jew [18:57] eat from superish to maybe they just [19:02] heard they're Jewish. anti-religious, [19:04] anti-Jewish, [19:04] >> and people who hate religion. What's is [19:06] there a commonality that you saw amongst [19:08] I'll [19:09] >> tell you one thing first of all we don't [19:10] let people uh speak in a way that [19:13] offends other people. You know one we [19:14] have two rules I think uh one is uh no [19:19] politics being discussed at the table [19:21] many people speak I allow them to [19:23] express themselves and the second thing [19:25] is please don't speak in a way which [19:27] will be offensive to our uh religious [19:29] Jewish celebration here more or less [19:32] telling people respect that [19:34] >> and uh I hope there's a feeling of [19:36] togetherness [19:38] we have moral dilemmas all the time in [19:40] the house in this area also I mean I I [19:43] think it was Sukkot this past year. [19:45] We've had many missionaries come to our [19:47] house. Uh [19:52] from I think from the first year that we [19:53] were starting this. I remember this is [19:56] the first year after we got married, [19:58] first year that we were in Israel, [20:01] uh someone came for Shabbat. [20:03] Um [20:05] and more or less if we would call it a [20:08] show, I hope it's not a show, but if the [20:10] show if it's called a show, it's an [20:11] offensive word to me. I don't like to [20:12] use it about my house. I hope it's not [20:14] hate when people come to the door and [20:16] look in like you know like this is a zoo [20:18] like you know like you know I read about [20:20] this place you know and the zoo was open [20:22] on Shabbat and you know you know no [20:24] entrance fee it's okay um I don't like I [20:26] mean okay they could they're welcome [20:28] everybody's welcome can you tell the [20:30] people here they're all welcome [20:31] >> okay I mean we have a few subscribers so [20:33] but uh you're all [20:34] >> you're all welcome DNA maybe they can [20:37] write it down malot m a l o t next word [20:42] daphna d like in David A F N A building [20:46] 137 apartment 26. This is sincere [20:49] invitation. I hope it's sincere. I hope [20:52] just identify our distinguished host. [20:55] Say that you're coming. I'm connecting [20:57] to him and he's going to be there maybe [20:58] this Friday night. So he'll greet you [21:00] himself. Um you know, so there there are [21:04] there are times where I remember this [21:06] the first year we were there. He came [21:08] and it was already the end of Shabbat. I [21:10] mean, he was there for the Friday night [21:12] meal. I didn't particularly see him [21:14] because there were other people there [21:15] you know the Shabbat day and then the [21:18] third meal and then we abdah you know [21:21] this se and then everybody left except [21:24] him and he was just sitting on the couch [21:26] like like this star he says everything [21:30] okay [21:32] please tell me he says you know you [21:34] don't you don't want to know who I am I [21:35] said well you said tell me that I'm a [21:38] missionary and I came from Long Island I [21:41] think that's not far from where we are [21:42] We're in we're on I come I come from [21:45] Long Island and I came to Israel to [21:48] missionize Jews and I'm sitting here. So [21:51] I said, "So what's the matter?" And I'm [21:54] so confused. I'm so confused. I'm [21:57] quoting almost verb. He said, "Uh, what [22:00] they say makes so much sense to me and [22:03] what you say makes so I I don't know [22:05] what to do." I didn't speak about [22:07] christoologgical references in B. That's [22:09] not what that's not my uh that's not [22:11] what I was speaking about. I don't know [22:12] what he's talking about. That's what he [22:13] said. I said, "Well, why don't you [22:15] clarify it?" He said, "I don't know. I'm [22:17] here with two other." I said, "Oh, two [22:19] other people." He said, "Yeah, no, but [22:20] they're not Jewish." I said, "Okay, so [22:22] come tomorrow afternoon. We'll discuss [22:24] Bible texts, you know." He said, "No, I [22:27] can't do that to a rabbi. How?" He said, [22:29] "No, I'm inviting you." So, Sunday [22:31] afternoon, the three of them came and [22:34] they were very, very, very, very, very [22:37] polite. Extremely polite. like you know [22:40] I don't think Henny had as many [22:41] compliments at how delicious the uh the [22:45] fish was as that that afternoon. Then I [22:47] said, "Okay, let's discuss." You know, [22:48] our friend, this is not his name. I know [22:50] his name. We'll call him uh W. That's [22:53] not his name. Um, you know, he wants he [22:56] wants to discuss Bible. Uh, David wants [22:58] to discuss Bible. Let's No, we can't do [23:00] that in a rabbi's house. I said, "Here." [23:03] I took out my my Tanakh, my Bible. I [23:05] said, "Please, I'm sure each of you has [23:06] a copy." And we tried studying a little [23:09] bit together and discussing. And our [23:11] friend David uh went to the Yeshiva [23:15] right next to our house. He ended up [23:16] going to Or [23:18] and today he's married with thank God [23:22] many children. He lives in my and uh [23:25] >> and he's Jewish. [23:27] >> Very Jewish very religiously observant [23:30] and uh you know very pious and you know [23:34] does that does that mean necessarily [23:35] that there are only success stories? No, [23:37] it doesn't mean that. But he really his [23:40] his mother came that was interesting. [23:41] His mother came to our house few months [23:43] later very very angry at us. You took [23:46] our son into a cult. He said about about [23:49] him going into the yeshiva. We took him [23:51] into a cult. He came to our house to [23:53] missionize Jews and we took him. [23:56] You know what they do in yeshiva? You [23:58] know what that is? They they sit there [24:00] with these book. He's in a cult and it's [24:02] your fault. You know, okay, bless this [24:05] woman wherever she is. I'm sure she [24:07] meant well. You know, she was trying to [24:09] protect her son. So more or less, we've [24:11] had people like this over the years. [24:12] This past Sukkot, there was a whole [24:14] group [24:16] that came and they were all [24:17] missionaries. And I told them the first [24:21] time they came, you're welcome here, but [24:23] there are rules and and they they broke [24:26] all the rules. Every time they got up to [24:27] speak, they they only and I I I I [24:30] politely, I hope, lovingly asked them to [24:33] please stop. They didn't. And I asked [24:35] them please not to come back. That's [24:37] painful to me. It's not. It's the the [24:39] very last step and something I did with [24:42] a broken heart. Yeah. But they didn't [24:45] want to comply. That's an unusual That's [24:48] an unusual story, I think. [24:50] >> Yeah. I mean, it's interesting cuz you [24:52] would you'd imagine, you know, someone [24:54] coming for free and being so invited, [24:57] you at least comply with the rules. Um, [25:00] but I guess they're on a mission. But I [25:02] guess they should be warned that uh [25:05] >> maybe they're watching and tell them [25:06] they should come back. They should come [25:07] back. [25:08] >> They should come back with following the [25:09] rules. [25:09] >> Following the rules, right? Right. But [25:11] also, I meant warning some, you know, [25:13] there has been a missionary that was [25:16] missionized, I guess, for Judaism. So, [25:18] >> more than one for [25:22] >> there's um So, okay. So, there's there's [25:24] definitely Christians coming. Do you [25:25] ever have uh you know, Muslims or Arabs [25:27] that come over? [25:28] >> Yeah, we've had that. Yes. We had one [25:30] guy uh I could say his name. I don't [25:33] think that How many How many viewers do [25:35] you have in Ramallah? I mean [25:37] >> I [25:37] >> I don't know. Yeah, I don't know. [25:39] >> But I I think it's okay. I mean, his [25:42] name his name that he used in our house [25:44] was Naim [25:46] and uh he he learned a lot about Judaism [25:49] and he really wanted he really thinks [25:51] that really maybe in his background is [25:53] something Jewish and he'd come every [25:56] single Shabbat. And uh I was walking to [25:59] the hotel every Shabbat morning. Hashem [26:01] blessed us. We had a little minan hotel [26:04] more than 20 years and he would walk [26:06] with me one week and he was afraid to go [26:09] into the old city. He was afraid he'd [26:10] get arrested and he he kept looking in [26:12] the mirror and he said to me, "I look [26:14] Jewish, right? I I look Jewish, right?" [26:15] I used to [26:17] come there, right? You I don't know. I [26:19] don't know what Jews look like. I mean, [26:22] the Jews look like everything there. Um [26:24] and he walked he ended up turning [26:26] turning away before and then uh he [26:29] stopped coming. One week he told me that [26:31] he's being threatened and uh he never [26:34] showed up again. I hope he's okay. Um [26:37] best regards to him. We had people [26:38] coming from uh Harim's men run some kind [26:43] of center on Mount of Olives also a ma [26:47] he came. We try. Of course, this is an [26:50] issue of of being uh careful. Uh often [26:54] we have someone in the house not not [26:56] necessarily a paid person. We usually [26:58] have someone there who has a gun and [27:00] someone who's in charge of just making [27:02] sure we don't don't check everybody at [27:04] the you know just keep an eye on there [27:06] have been several people who are look [27:09] suspicious [27:11] we pray to Hashem that it should always [27:13] be safe and secure [27:15] >> I have to imagine that there have been [27:20] some that have come out of this house so [27:22] if there's what you could share on that [27:27] Hashem there have been yes [27:29] uh [27:31] I'll tell you two stories one story is [27:34] connected something I just went to a [27:35] wedding last week [27:38] uh of a student of mine my teacher I [27:42] consider my my students to be my teacher [27:45] a close a close teacher my close student [27:48] of mine many years ago [27:51] and um [27:54] since hashem we're blessed sometimes s [27:57] have people in the house and sometimes [27:59] many people in the house. He used to [28:00] help in the kitchen. [28:03] He he was uh let's say I would ask of [28:06] him things that I wouldn't ask of most [28:08] people because I felt very close to him. [28:09] So we needed extra dishes washed out in [28:11] the middle of the meal or silverware or [28:13] figuring out it. And uh he was right [28:17] near the sink washing out some bowls and [28:21] there wasn't enough room in the the [28:23] living room dining room area. So people [28:24] were being pushed into the kitchen and I [28:27] guess it was his future wife that was [28:29] pushed be right next to him. She was [28:31] studying in some uh seminary and the [28:34] rest is history and I was at their [28:36] daughter's wedding last week. [28:40] I know that on Shiva [28:42] the 17th of which was this past uh [28:46] Thursday my mother's [28:50] so someone got up and said that today is [28:53] a very special day in their life [28:56] the people that spoke generally spoke [28:58] about my mother but because her yard but [29:01] he got up and said that the 17th of [29:03] Tamuz is special to them because they [29:06] met in the house on the 17th of Tamuz [29:08] I've been having art site studies suim [29:12] and sudo right after the fast for many [29:14] years since my mother left the world and [29:16] one year we generally try to have [29:20] separate tables for men separate tables [29:22] for women which to some people is [29:25] problematic and try to be flexible try [29:28] to be understanding and that's that's a [29:30] challenge also you know like I don't [29:32] want to separate couples and what if [29:34] they come with a family so there are you [29:35] know many exceptions but there was a [29:38] complete [29:40] a table of of men and all the tables of [29:44] men, tables of women. There were no [29:47] seats at any of the tables of women. [29:48] There was one seat that was in the men's [29:51] table. She sat down there and they got [29:55] married. Yeah. [29:56] >> And he got up to say that Shivasamu [29:59] is their anniversary because that's [30:00] where they met. They met in this house [30:02] in this in this room. Yeah. I think it's [30:04] a I think it's a very positive kind of [30:07] thing. I I wish I could say that that's [30:09] one of the main activities. It's not. [30:11] But uh I think all the people involved [30:13] in should be blessed. I think it's one [30:15] of the ways of being bringing people [30:17] together and I think there are many [30:19] homes all over the world where great [30:22] hosts hostesses are open to this and [30:25] should be encouraged. I think people [30:27] need places to to meet. There are many [30:30] people who meet through introductions [30:32] through but there are some that don't [30:34] and some people really enjoy being [30:36] together at a meal and sometimes that [30:38] opens up new areas. Another that was [30:41] made in their house was uh someone got [30:44] up to speak and uh the woman the girl [30:48] listening to him was so enthralled by [30:50] his dorra she you know they got married. [30:54] Um [30:56] there are many such story whatever. [30:58] >> We are going to be right back to this [31:00] week's episode. But if there's one thing [31:01] today's episode proves, it's what a [31:03] beautiful marriage can build. Rabbi [31:05] Mahas and Henny were married for over 40 [31:07] years. And together they opened their [31:09] home, raised a family, and fed well over [31:11] a half a million people. And that kind [31:12] of love story doesn't happen by [31:14] accident. 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And we found the car in Florida. [32:39] So if you want white glove treatment, [32:41] getting the best cars, the best deals [32:42] with the best people, give Willis a call [32:44] at 7188718715 [32:46] or you can send them an email [32:47] inspires.com or you can send a WhatsApp [32:49] directly or you go on the website [32:51] wheels.com/inspire. [32:52] However you want to reach them, you [32:53] could reach them. Tell them inspiration [32:55] sent you. Now back to this week's [32:57] episode. So you referenced before that [32:59] that fellow that was, you know, yeshiva [33:00] guy and he was specifically not wearing [33:03] his yamaka kipa by the meal. Do you do [33:06] you see that often that people they're [33:08] obviously you know based on the rules [33:10] they're they're hopefully following it [33:11] and not talking negatively but you could [33:13] see that they've gone through whatever [33:15] system or traditions that they have but [33:18] they they they feel broken but they're [33:20] they find themsel [33:22] >> what are they doing in my house you know [33:23] they're coming to look right there's a [33:25] you know I I the maiden this protest is [33:27] too much you know like what are you [33:28] doing here oh so Shabbat is not for you [33:30] so what are you coming to you're coming [33:32] for Shabbat meal I don't think it's the [33:33] food necessarily we do have people [33:35] coming for the food. But that's not what [33:37] it's about. He wanted Shabbat. Uh I [33:39] think that it has been suggested that [33:42] the opposite of uh of love is not hate [33:48] but that the opposite of love is [33:50] indifference. [33:51] Uh so when someone is so you know [33:54] passionately against something sometimes [33:57] I think the Hebrew word for love and the [34:00] Hebrew word for enemy [34:03] uh and even enmity [34:06] oh have and oave you know like and hey [34:10] for those people is this too technical [34:12] >> no good oh olive of hay oay oh oave [34:17] lover the one who's closed one that and [34:20] oh yay is the weights and hay and you [34:23] are interchangeable and evil. I think [34:25] sometimes the OA [34:27] especially in certain context of this [34:29] man sitting at my table he's really an [34:31] OA just needs extra levels of of love [34:35] and sensitivity and he went through he [34:37] went through difficulties and uh I one [34:41] of the main rules in all areas of of [34:46] charity is the rule of [34:51] to figure out the particular need of [34:53] this particular individual and that's [34:56] very complicated. It's not one one [34:59] sizefits-all and it's very very [35:01] individualistic. is individualistic in [35:04] the sense of a cuisine in sense of a [35:06] menu and he spent who knows how much [35:09] effort time and you know trying to [35:11] figure out different foods for different [35:13] people and I I don't eat this and I want [35:15] this and you can't just serve but the [35:19] same thing is true with with the tension [35:21] levels of what does what does he need [35:24] does he need someone who to listen to [35:26] his stories of well does he need someone [35:27] to empathize does he want to go and to [35:30] talk to the people who who heard hurt [35:32] him, go back to them, set up some kind [35:34] of meeting. We try [35:39] >> do did you find yourself in those I [35:41] guess you know having a meal is is maybe [35:43] I mean obviously it's not easy to have [35:45] 100 plus people but maybe that's the [35:46] easier part but then dealing with their [35:51] certain people's challenges and taking [35:53] the next step and it sounds like you're [35:55] getting involved in that was [35:57] >> I think that's the obligation of of [35:59] everyone to do so I mean you see someone [36:02] in need. [36:06] You can't stand by and watch someone [36:08] suffer. You can't someone someone is [36:11] screaming not necessarily with his voice [36:13] but from his heart help me. So we try I [36:17] mean [36:20] there are many many needs and I'm very [36:23] very far from being capable or able or [36:27] successful and take care of all of them. [36:29] But I think that each person has to try [36:31] to his and her utmost to reach out and [36:34] to figure out what's going on. And very [36:36] often it's the external facade which [36:40] distances people. Person speaks in a [36:42] certain way they think that's really [36:43] what's that's not it. That's the outer [36:46] layer. Can you figure out what's what's [36:47] really going on inside? And if you could [36:49] do that often I studied under the telage [36:54] of Vdor Miller [36:57] and he once taught us something very [36:59] very beautiful in this area. He said [37:01] that uh the garra teaches [37:14] and sometimes if somebody really wants [37:15] to do something they just can't then God [37:19] considered as if they uh it's tantamount [37:22] to actually having observed it. He said [37:25] well let's say you're trying to take [37:27] care of I don't know all the poor [37:28] people. Nobody could take care of all [37:30] the poor people. But if you really want [37:32] to take care of all the poor people said [37:34] Rav Miller and Kuwa says if you do so if [37:37] you how many people can each person take [37:39] care whatever whatever their potential [37:42] is whatever their capacity is but if [37:44] it's real I also think people sense [37:48] levels of genuine you know activity [37:53] if you're real it's not like you know oh [37:56] how can I help you but but you really [37:59] care if you really you really want to [38:02] assist the people. Many of these people [38:04] I think are open to this and I think [38:07] that whatever a person cannot accomplish [38:09] in the world of action they can [38:10] accomplish in the world of prayer. That [38:12] was Rabbi Miller's teaching. At least to [38:14] pray for everyone at least to be [38:16] concerned. Something along those lines. [38:19] You're probably used to this, but at [38:21] this point, but has, you know, have you [38:23] ever finished a meal and, you know, hear [38:25] someone like pour out their heart to you [38:27] and, I don't know, maybe cry yourself to [38:29] sleep or just feel so broken to see that [38:31] they're going through such challenges. [38:35] >> Absolutely. [38:37] Absolutely. [38:40] >> There's so so many issues that so many [38:42] so many different people are going [38:43] through. Uh so many family issues, [38:47] broken family issues, so many social [38:50] issues, so many health issues, so many [38:52] economic issues. [38:55] Yes. I mean, of course, um at the end of [38:58] the meal, I get to meet many times [39:00] people that I've never spoken to in my [39:03] life except at C night with you long [39:06] time ago. But um [39:09] yes, and their words often do penetrate [39:14] And uh you know I I I can tell you that [39:17] there are many people that come and [39:18] never come back. And [39:22] I always wonder like what happened to [39:23] them. You know did I treat them in a way [39:26] where they didn't feel comfortable [39:27] coming back. You'd be surprised how many [39:29] people come back years years later years [39:32] after oh do you remember me? [39:35] And this is a moral question you have to [39:37] ask someone who's knows about the laws [39:39] of lying. I used to say the truth. I [39:42] used to say, "No, I don't remember you." [39:45] So, I don't remember me. You don't [39:47] remember me? So now I say just like you, [39:50] could you remind me? More than one [39:52] person comes to the house. And they come [39:54] back often like, "Do you remember I was [39:55] going through an issue as if it was [39:57] yesterday. It was seven and a half years [39:59] ago, you know, where uh who knows how [40:01] many people have been in the house since [40:02] then." But I think uh yeah I try to I [40:05] try in whatever little way I can to uh [40:10] to be connected to to these people. I I [40:13] think there are u many converts that [40:16] have come through our house many [40:18] potential uh gaim [40:21] many great gu this past Friday night [40:24] this past week uh someone came over to [40:27] me and he said uh you don't recognize [40:30] me. [40:32] No, no, but I he said that so I could [40:35] say, "Yeah, no, I don't recognize." No, [40:36] no, I didn't look like this. He He was [40:38] standing there, a tall gentleman with a [40:41] uh a black suit and white shirt and pot [40:47] and he told me that he came here four [40:49] years ago as a nonju [40:53] uh with a very different hairstyle and [40:55] very different for woman dress. He never [40:58] came after that. He said he he was moved [41:01] by something Jewish and he went on his [41:04] process of conversion and now he's a [41:06] full-fledged member of one of our [41:08] brothers and I'm [41:11] how many do you remember how many years [41:13] have you been doing this? [41:15] >> You think I know how to add? I mean I [41:17] didn't do so well in arithmetic. We we [41:19] got married in 1979 [41:23] and whatever you could subtract, you [41:25] know. So I mean [41:27] >> it's literally hundreds of thousands of [41:29] people. I I I can't blame you for not [41:31] remembering most people. [41:34] >> I don't know tell you one person is a [41:36] world and if one person is a world so [41:40] the numbers are [41:42] Yeah. And there's so many different so [41:44] many different kinds of needs. Uh [41:46] soldiers you know don't forget we have [41:49] thank God many Israelis that come also. [41:52] There's a language issue. Try to speak a [41:54] little bit in Hebrew. try to speak a [41:55] little bit in English. There are people [41:57] that surprisingly we've had people from [41:59] many countries like speak they don't [42:02] speak English they don't speak Hebrew [42:04] how they could tolerate a meal I don't [42:05] know really it's not a it's not a short [42:08] meal it's a and they sit there and they [42:10] you know I think there's a certain [42:13] language called the language of love [42:14] maybe maybe it's a language of Shabbat [42:18] and maybe the language of Shabbat [42:19] everybody in the world understands the [42:20] language of Shabbat so you all speak [42:22] that language we we can communicate with [42:24] each other on some [42:26] for someone who hasn't been there, [42:29] what's what does the meal look like? Do [42:31] you do you always serve the same? [42:32] >> All those people that have not been [42:33] there should come, [42:34] >> right? [42:35] >> I gave the address before, [42:36] >> but but they I I want to like like are [42:38] you serving gapilta fish? I I I imagine [42:41] would come and be like gapilta fish or [42:43] again I don't know. [42:44] >> Okay. Gilta fish. I mean I think I mean [42:47] all due respect to gapilta fish I mean I [42:50] think when I was growing up there was no [42:51] kush in the world where they didn't [42:54] serve gapilta fish. I think there are [42:57] many kushim today where they do not [42:59] serve kilter. Correct. Accurate or not? [43:01] >> Accurate. [43:01] >> Yes. So I'm from a different [43:03] generations. I filter fish. Um I think [43:07] all the words of all the celebrations of [43:09] Shabbat on some level equals seventh. [43:12] This is technical. I'm going to say it [43:14] fast because the uh the Hebrew word for [43:17] fish is dollar gimmel which is [43:19] numerically equivalent to to seven. We [43:21] start the Shabbat with lighting a candle [43:24] which is called n. The numerical value [43:26] is 250. 2 + 5 + 0 = 7. And then we have [43:30] start the meal with the wine which is [43:32] yind. Yay is the numerical value of 70. [43:35] 7 + 0 = 7. Many places have fish. D is [43:39] 7. Then they have soup. Marak is the [43:44] 340. 3 + 4 plus 0 is 7. and Vasar is 502 [43:48] is is 57 [43:51] and uh I don't know or is equals seven [43:56] and my children added uh I I said this [43:59] to my children my children said or is [44:02] rice uh and also if you add the uh [44:07] letters of 214 is or 2 + 1 + 4 is 7 they [44:12] said it's very nice aba but there's no [44:14] dessert and they It was my children's. [44:17] They said the word glea which is ice [44:19] cream equals 52 which is also said. So [44:22] there's a lot of fish going on on [44:24] Shabbat. Some people serve fish. Yes. I [44:26] remember that there was one man when the [44:29] in the years that we were serving only [44:31] gila fish. It has changed all the people [44:34] who do not enjoy gila fish. There is a [44:36] variety of fish. You're most welcome to [44:38] enjoy the uh he got up at the was an [44:41] elderly [44:42] man. May bless him. This is when Henny [44:45] was was uh thank God living and he was [44:49] we served Gilfish. [44:51] Did you know the stories that why you're [44:52] asking you know I don't know if you knew [44:54] the story really happened and uh and uh [44:59] he said you know me shel me who cooked [45:02] this [45:05] is fish said this is fish not fish what [45:09] is that fish what what is this you know [45:12] so honey was standing like near the [45:14] kitchen she said I I loyal you know you [45:18] know you know you do not know how to [45:19] cook you know it's an interesting [45:21] statement to someone who cook a few [45:23] people, you know, so she said, "Yeah, [45:28] I'm so sorry. [45:32] Why don't you teach me?" Okay. When do [45:35] you want to learn? And he said, "Okay, [45:36] teach me. I'll I'll serve it next week." [45:39] Okay. Thursday morning. I'm coming to [45:41] teach. And I was there Thursday morning. [45:43] and Henny played a uh very interesting [45:47] role [45:48] of like I don't know how to cook. Could [45:52] could it was very funny to watch because [45:54] you know she she knows how to cook. No, [45:56] no, but you know how to cook you know [45:58] Moroccan fish also you know man what [46:01] should I do now? You take this, you mix [46:03] it this way, that she served it in [46:05] Friday night. And he got up and said, [46:06] "Okay." Yeah. To you know why you're [46:08] having fish tonight? Because I came here [46:10] on Thursday and I taught her how to make [46:12] fish and now there's real fish and now [46:13] you So we have both gapilto fish and [46:16] Iraq fish. And Henny tried very hard to [46:19] accommodate different needs of different [46:22] people. Uh thank God we've been blessed [46:24] to have many vegetarians in our home. [46:28] May they be blessed. been blessed to [46:30] have many vegans in our house. May they [46:32] be blessed. And Henny Henny had her own [46:35] religious idea of vegetarianism. She [46:38] said that maybe she said to me, "I think [46:41] maybe God arranged there's so many [46:42] vegetarians in the world because there [46:44] are still Jews. I don't know about now, [46:46] but I hope by Shab won't be that way, [46:48] but there's still Jews in the world who [46:49] don't necessarily keep kosher." She said [46:52] if they're really strict vegans and [46:55] they're not they're not eating even bugs [46:56] and so they're eating kosher you know [46:58] the god arrange so she used to cook on [47:00] Friday afternoon she used to cook uh [47:03] special soup we traditionally serve like [47:06] chicken soup [47:07] >> I think in many communities is the [47:09] traditional Friday but she always made a [47:12] vegetable soup and the kam the chala [47:17] afternoon which generally has meat in it [47:19] he made a vegetarian version as well for [47:22] the people as well. Yeah, [47:23] >> it's very inclusive. Could you tell us [47:26] about uh you know the hard chapter when [47:29] uh Penny passed away or I guess a little [47:32] before that [47:34] just take us through that that [47:36] experience. [47:41] Uh I don't know which aspect you want to [47:43] hear about. uh [47:45] you want to hear about the [47:46] brokenheartedness of of of our family, [47:50] the great loss [47:52] to us and I think to [47:57] Henny was a very strong woman. I mean [47:59] she she maintained her her her strength [48:05] to the best of her ability almost to the [48:08] very end. She left the world a few weeks [48:11] after Sukkot more than 10 10 and a half [48:14] years ago. But that sukkot she was still [48:18] in the suka, you know, trying whatever [48:20] their last levels of energy, you know, [48:23] to still force a smile and greeting [48:26] people and things like that. My favorite [48:28] part is coming up. But first, Sukus is [48:30] just days away. 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[49:52] They're also experts in AI, which is [49:53] something that you might be hearing [49:55] thrown around a lot, but and you're [49:57] like, I've tried AI. doesn't work for [49:58] me. They have learned to utilize it to [50:01] help give you the best software so you [50:03] don't just build a a website with AI [50:05] that just falls apart in three days. [50:07] They actually build you stuff that lasts [50:09] that helps your company make more money. [50:12] Reach out biping.com today. Now, back to [50:14] this week's episode. Did you have a [50:15] discussion cuz and I don't think anyone [50:17] would have blamed you had you know, you [50:20] know, had she passed and then you would [50:23] have stopped. Like I don't think anyone [50:25] would have blamed you. Did did she have [50:26] a discussion with you before about [50:29] what's the next steps going to be? [50:30] >> I I can't say that I remember having [50:32] such a discussion. I can remember that [50:34] she she passed away on Friday afternoon [50:38] in the house [50:40] and uh [50:43] that Friday night was my grandson's [50:45] arbit [50:49] and I didn't know everything was like [50:51] chaotic. I mean, we actually ended up [50:54] going straight from the cemetery by bus, [50:58] special bus for the family. We drove my [51:01] daughter's home in uh in Bamesh to try [51:03] to celebrate the Bhna [51:05] and I tried to speak at the Bman and I [51:08] kept asking one of my my son-in-law, I [51:10] said, "Stand next to me and squeeze my [51:12] hand every time you think [51:19] you could choose to delete this." I said [51:25] I don't know do whatever you want with I [51:26] said every time I get into a mode it's [51:28] Shabbat. I said every time I get into a [51:29] mode of morning just squeeze my hand and [51:32] I spoke at the bar. So the problem was [51:35] the problem was that Friday night she [51:38] she died on a Friday afternoon. Friday [51:41] night is a time where you you want you [51:43] know house has to have food. [51:46] I thought people would understand that, [51:48] you know, she just had left the world a [51:50] few hours ago and we had a bar mitzvah [51:52] and and there was we locked the door, [51:56] but uh some people felt that this is not [51:59] the way it should be and they climbed in [52:01] and they opened the door and someone [52:04] arranged meals in our home that Friday [52:06] night, a few hours after she uh [52:09] departed. And uh [52:12] yes, it it it did continue. I think that [52:15] um [52:17] was there ever a discussion? [52:19] I I mean I think the greatest honor to [52:21] our memory is this was her life dream [52:25] and uh my my beloved children, my [52:27] beloved children-in-law, [52:29] my beloved uh [52:32] teachers, my students, my my friend, [52:34] they all and each one in their own way a [52:37] special blessing of Hashem that it was [52:40] able to uh to continue. I hope not the [52:43] same. Uh it's not not on the same level [52:46] as when Henny was there, but let's say [52:48] an imitation of of what it was like of [52:51] something like that. Um [52:54] I think it was surely you asked me if [52:56] she ever spoke to me directly about it. [52:58] I don't remember that. I don't remember [52:59] ever saying, you know, no matter what [53:01] happens, keep going. Um maybe she [53:04] wouldn't she wouldn't want to burden [53:07] anyone or something. But surely her [53:09] inner wish would be that this is uh this [53:12] is what should be. There was one person [53:15] Friday afternoon picture of the scene. [53:17] We were all sitting in the in the uh in [53:18] the living room. I don't know if Moshe [53:21] Moshe my son is sitting there. I don't [53:22] know if you were there. Were you there [53:23] for you were there? You weren't there. [53:25] So we were sitting there all crying [53:27] hysterically [53:30] and somebody walks in one of our [53:32] distinguished guests and said, "Oh, I [53:34] heard that Eddie died. Uh, are you [53:36] serving refreshments [53:38] the funeral? [53:42] I can't tell you what I felt, but you [53:44] know, uh, you know, like get him out of [53:46] me cuz he said, "I asked you something. [53:49] Did are you serving refreshments at the [53:51] funeral?" [53:53] Well, I'm telling you something. He [53:54] points his finger like this at me. If [53:55] you don't serve refreshments at the [53:57] funeral, I'm not coming. [53:59] Okay. And he left. And it was a short [54:02] Friday afternoon. This is in the month [54:03] of Keshan few weeks after Sukkot the [54:06] candle lighting was you know relatively [54:08] early. He came over to me after the [54:10] funeral. He said thank you so much for [54:13] listening. I didn't know what he was [54:15] talking about. Henny's uh date of [54:17] departure from the world is the same [54:20] yard site as Rabu Vy [54:23] one of the chief leading [54:25] rabbis of history of surely of our [54:27] generation. He's buried in the same temp [54:29] he's buried a few few rows from RA [54:33] and on his yard site they have big [54:35] trucks with refreshments. So he thought [54:39] oh there were refreshments at the [54:40] cemetery inside Hedria cemetery. So he [54:44] listened to me. Okay. We had drinks and [54:46] he had some refreshments. [54:48] >> There there is something poetic about [54:49] about that that you know there there was [54:52] yeah strangely I mean he had a strange [54:54] role in that story. Um, but there's [54:57] >> even even there's a great rabbi from uh [54:59] Mir Yeshiva. I don't know if I should [55:01] say his name. I don't know if he wants [55:02] to be quoted in you know a podcast. I [55:05] don't know you know he came to the house [55:08] in Ashkanazra he said I've never eaten [55:11] in the sardic world the custom is to [55:13] serve at Shiva to serve at the 7th day [55:17] observance of of morning is to serve [55:20] different food stuffs and to say [55:23] blessings to say [55:26] that's you know it's generally not done [55:29] in many communities [55:32] he said I have never eaten at Shal he [55:36] said but today he asked he asked one he [55:38] asked one of my children he said please [55:39] bring me I want to make a braha and they [55:41] said you make braot in the house of of [55:45] he said no I don't but I think in henn's [55:48] house I want I want to do this because [55:50] that's what she was all about I want I [55:52] want to participate in the food ra alb [55:54] elbaz I remember I should mention her [55:57] name albbas came he's one of the rabbis [56:01] or [56:03] should bless [56:04] He came on the last day of Shiva. We [56:06] were getting up. He went into the [56:07] kitchen. He started kissing the pots. [56:10] He was crying. [56:20] And [56:22] he said, "Maybe you don't understand [56:23] what I'm doing." He said, "To me, [56:26] this is a Tashmish kadusha tmish of [56:30] mitzvah. [56:32] I can't talk about this. I'm sorry, you [56:35] know. Okay, ask whatever you want. I'm [56:36] open. Go ahead. [56:37] >> You're doing You're doing great. You're [56:38] doing great. I I think those stories are [56:41] are very powerful and they really do [56:44] show, you know, what you together with [56:46] your wife, you really built and the the [56:49] difference that you you made on the [56:51] world. You know, obviously, you know, [56:52] there are stories that you've shared and [56:55] you know, I know that our scroll made a [56:57] wonderful book about your wife. We'll [56:59] we'll link it down below. um that you do [57:01] know but who knows all those journeys [57:05] and challenges and [57:08] >> right he knows all those that you [57:10] impacted. [57:12] >> Yeah. I mean we till today we we we have [57:14] people coming to the house from [57:16] different parts of the world who say I [57:19] read the book and I thought it was just [57:21] you know fictitious. No, I know they [57:24] came to check that you know that it [57:25] wasn't just the name of the book is um [57:29] ambuna with love and chicken soup [57:31] something like that and uh you know [57:35] there are many many stories there but [57:36] many many stories that are not there not [57:40] just because it was a great author [57:41] Hashem should bless her story regler she [57:45] she did a fantastic job spent a very [57:47] long time interviewing who knows how [57:48] many people and putting together a [57:50] monumental work but there were certain [57:52] stories that we didn't want to share. We [57:54] didn't want her to publish or just it [57:56] wasn't like 500 pages and how much could [57:58] you write? [58:01] Yeah, it's true. And I I think that the [58:04] stories I hesitated they they they asked [58:08] my permission. Art school asked my [58:10] permission before they published it. And [58:12] it wasn't it wasn't an easy yes. It was [58:14] like, you know, Henny was surprisingly I [58:18] don't know if you could understand this, [58:19] but I'll say it. He was a very private [58:21] person. It doesn't sound that way, [58:23] right? Cuz you have people coming all [58:24] the time. She was a very private person. [58:26] And the idea of writing a book about [58:28] her, you know, she want this, [58:32] you know, is this is this arrogant this, [58:36] you know, in a certain sense [58:40] ostentatious, [58:41] you know, is this is this is this m [58:44] and I went for no, we need an answer. [58:46] Please, please. They get this one cool, [58:48] that one cool. I hope it's okay. and [58:50] they wrote it and I think that there are [58:52] many people in the world who positively [58:54] benefited from it. I think there are [58:55] many people who have had additional uh [58:59] guests in their home as a result of the [59:01] book. I think many people had [59:02] surprisingly you don't know how many [59:04] stories we've heard about children. [59:06] There's a chapter in the book I think I [59:07] only read it once. I read it the day it [59:09] came out. They gave me a free copy [59:12] and I stayed up the whole the whole day [59:14] and night. I didn't I didn't go teach [59:16] that day and I read it from cover to [59:18] cover and I I was crying so much I I I [59:22] told my children I don't want the book [59:23] in the house. The book is not now. We [59:25] haven't had the book in the house for 10 [59:27] years or something. And uh you know [59:30] there are many there's a chapter I think [59:32] in the book on fertility whatever H's [59:35] understanding of this and having [59:38] children at a certain point and uh [59:43] herself she was she was very dedicated [59:45] to we had hashem three children born at [59:48] home [59:50] in a planned way because they didn't [59:51] want to allow her natural births in the [59:53] hospital. But there's a whole thing [59:55] there about her where she spoke many [59:56] many times and and the author wrote with [59:59] her about the the beauty of the glory of [60:01] having children, the special nature and [60:05] the the unique gift and lea the Hebrew [60:08] word leashem and how wonderful. You [60:12] wouldn't you you you would be shocked to [60:14] know how many people have told us over [60:17] the years up to and including now [60:21] we had another baby because of because [60:24] of the book. I don't know many who reads [60:26] books and has babies as we know reading [60:28] books and and how many hennies [60:31] how many hennies? Uh we have a daughter [60:35] called Henny. Yeah. How'd you get? We We [60:38] called our daughter Henny because Henny [60:40] was the inspiration why we had another [60:43] child. And there were many Hennes in the [60:45] world. Thank God. I said, "Did you ever [60:46] meet Henny?" "Well, I met her, you know, [60:49] in 500 pages of her." No, I never met [60:51] her. That's a little unusual. I don't [60:54] know people who make life changes as a [60:56] result of reading a book. It's it's [60:58] unusual, right? First of all, how do you [61:00] know the book is true? And even if it's [61:02] true, okay, so they wrote a book about [61:03] someone, but thank God there's been a I [61:06] hope it should continue, a special level [61:08] of blessing with with those books. They [61:10] put out a teenage book, art school, put [61:13] out three books. They put out the main [61:15] book, then they put a teenage book, and [61:16] they put out a children's book with [61:18] pictures. [61:21] >> Really beautiful. [61:21] >> There is a story that I wanted to share. [61:24] I I remember once [61:26] uh of course all the people in your are [61:30] all opening their homes I'm sure all all [61:32] the time that they all be blessed. Your [61:35] shalem is the center of hospitality I'm [61:38] sure for the whole world. First [61:39] reference in the Bible to Jerusalem to [61:41] shalim is about bringing forth bread and [61:44] wine and the people of your shale it [61:46] says in the garra they used to hang out [61:48] tablecloths to announce that the meals [61:50] are happening. But uh [61:54] I guess the group of Mormons from uh [61:59] uh Mount Scopus where they have a [62:02] university [62:04] they couldn't find a place which would [62:06] be willing to host the group for Friday [62:08] night and they called me up and we took [62:12] them in and I remember they they were [62:15] going around the table and uh you know [62:17] so one woman one woman got up and said [62:20] these are Mormons all Mormons from Salt [62:22] Lake City. And she got up and said, you [62:24] know, so so special to me to have a [62:27] Jewish experience. And Henny had said [62:29] something to her along the lines of why [62:32] why did you want a Jewish experience? He [62:34] said, you know, my mother's Jewish and I [62:36] he said, excuse me, what what did you [62:38] say? Yeah, my mother's Jewish. So Henny [62:41] said in a loving way, oh, you know, [62:43] you're Jewish. [62:45] Not Jewish. I'm a Mormon. I live in Salt [62:48] Lake City. I have nothing to do. So she [62:49] said, "Yeah, you can say what you want. [62:50] I'm telling you that from a Jewish [62:52] perspective, not Jewish. I don't know [62:54] what you're doing. The whole group left. [62:55] They were very nice. They very polite, [62:57] very sweet. The next day, they had to [62:59] come for the Friday night meal. The next [63:02] day, uh, she came alone. He said, "I [63:04] couldn't sleep all night." Why do you [63:06] keep saying I'm Jewish? And Henny [63:08] maintained her position because you are [63:11] Jewish. What do you mean I'm Jewish? I [63:13] have nothing to do with the Jewish [63:14] people. My first Jewish experience in my [63:16] life. Where she is, I don't know. Maybe [63:18] she's maybe she's rediscovering her [63:21] Jewish roots and I I I I think it's [63:24] important to know that people involved [63:26] in hospitality. I I was walking home. I [63:29] think it's an important story. [63:32] Um I was walking home from the hotel [63:34] with a group of people uh after the uh [63:37] service after [63:39] and uh there was someone on the floor [63:42] near the marketplace. His head was [63:44] covered. He looked very troubled. [63:48] wasn't sure whether he was Jewish or or [63:49] or [63:51] Arab or Palestinian. I didn't know who [63:53] he was. I said shalom. I try to say [63:54] shalom. It says in the Gumar you're [63:56] supposed to say shalom to everyone. I [63:58] tried leather. And he answers me like he [64:02] says uh you know I'm Jewish in English. [64:05] You know I'm Jewish. Jewish. Why you [64:08] lying on the floor? He was heavily uh [64:10] drugged unfortunately. Maybe with crack, [64:14] maybe with cocaine. I don't know. [64:17] Um, and we had a group of people and [64:20] picked him up. They walked over to our [64:22] house and he was someone from um, [64:25] upstate New York, a Jewish man who uh, [64:29] whose father had dropped him off at the [64:31] airport. [64:33] Basically gave up on gave up on him and [64:36] he came to our house numerous numerous [64:38] times. Uh, [64:41] thank God a little bit of re rehab. [64:45] Got dressed like a you know like when I [64:48] saw him he was completely dattered and [64:51] he wanted he wanted to live in our house [64:54] now. Okay. I said you could live in the [64:57] house but you have to follow you know [64:58] certain [65:00] at a point where he we found needles [65:02] around the house but I couldn't keep him [65:05] there. I said it's dangerous my my [65:07] children it's dangerous for my guests. [65:10] and he got reinvolved in cocaine and re [65:14] my son who's here Moshe and I went to [65:17] visit him several times in different [65:19] facilities he was very close to death at [65:22] least three or four times very close to [65:25] death about two and a half years ago [65:29] someone shows up at the door on Friday [65:31] night I never know who's coming to the [65:32] door a suit a tie you know is a you [65:37] recognize me this is Not his name. I'll [65:39] make up his name. [65:41] No, my name is Ara. [65:44] It's he looked like completely. He said, [65:46] "I've been clean." That's the word he [65:48] used. I guess it's a term that's used in [65:50] certain circles. I've been clean for [65:52] more than nine and a half months. [65:55] Talked to he lives in Tara. He lives in [65:58] Tiberius. He has a job. Unbelievable. [66:02] And thank God uh [66:05] about a year and a half ago or something [66:08] he got married and uh he just sent me a [66:11] picture of his baby. Uh and you know [66:15] sometimes you you see someone who looks [66:18] like so far gone and almost I I hope [66:21] this word is never used but hopeless [66:24] with the right kind of love and the [66:25] right kind of input I think it it can be [66:28] done. I think it's important to note to [66:30] the people who are trying to uh pursue [66:32] levels of of hospitality and generosity [66:36] there are challenges we had to make [66:37] decisions you know during the war this [66:40] current war sirens and people in safe [66:44] rooms and and mlatim and people running [66:47] and how many people and this one doesn't [66:49] want to move and this one there were [66:50] there are challenge there were [66:51] challenges we have a woman currently in [66:53] the house not currently today today's I [66:56] think Wednesday I'm a little confused [66:57] cuz so the uh jet life. I think it's [67:00] Wednesday. Uh she only comes from she's [67:03] a homeless woman who lives in Rachel's [67:06] tomb. She doesn't have a she doesn't [67:08] have a home. She comes to our home [67:10] Friday afternoon. She stays till more or [67:12] less Sunday afternoon. [67:14] She would like to live in the house, but [67:15] uh I can't do it. Maybe someone else, [67:19] maybe someone watching. Someone wants [67:21] She's in a wheelchair completely [67:23] crippled. In fact, she never lies down. [67:27] Never lies down. She sleeps on a table [67:30] like this. I don't know who she is. I [67:32] don't I She doesn't share anything about [67:35] her personal details with me. I don't [67:36] even know her name. I know her first [67:38] name, but I don't know who I even know [67:40] if that's really her name. That's the [67:41] name that she she told me. And um there [67:45] were challenges. We have, as I said [67:47] before, we have some women's tables, [67:49] men's tables, women's table. [67:53] No one wants to sit at her table. [67:55] She comes with a a wheelchair and she [67:59] comes with many many bags attached to [68:01] the wheelchair. Okay, that's I [68:03] understand. But I I guess the sense of [68:06] uh scent and smell and sweet smelling [68:10] can be defined in different ways. And [68:13] some people are so offended [68:15] by the way she uh [68:18] I I I don't know I don't want to speak [68:19] about this you know way which is [68:21] offensive to anyone god forbid but I [68:24] it's a real challenge like there have [68:26] been women who walk in and just walk [68:29] right out you know if there's no room at [68:30] the other tables [68:32] if you can imagine it it's not a very [68:34] large room and she takes up a full table [68:38] she doesn't physically take up the [68:39] physical we put in I don't know what [68:41] it's called there's [68:43] There's a uh it's like a perfumed uh [68:47] >> like scents. [68:48] >> Yeah. Yeah. But [68:49] >> instant diffuser. Yeah. [68:50] >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It did it didn't [68:52] help much. And there are people who have [68:54] recommended that we should ask her to [68:56] leave. I don't think that's the will of [68:58] Hashem. I've tried to explain to my my [69:01] immediate family or to people that try [69:02] to listen to me that there's a concept [69:04] in the Torah of sweet smelling [69:06] sacrifices. [69:09] I said is not defined by different [69:13] levels of what people would consider [69:14] cologn or perfumes. The garra talks [69:18] about how certain sacrifices had the [69:20] most offensive smells was called burning [69:24] certain kinds of feathers and parts of [69:26] of birds and things like that. [69:30] That's a yeah that's a I said if you can [69:33] imagine this is the maybe the ultimate [69:35] there are challenges and I think that [69:37] each one has to be dealt with. There are [69:39] moral dilemmas in each case and I bless [69:42] everyone, all the people involved, the [69:43] people listening, who are interested, [69:46] that each one should be able to open [69:47] their hearts and their homes and with [69:49] the help of Hashem should be successful [69:52] to the point where, as I said at the [69:53] beginning, I I I hope that this mitzvah [69:56] becomes completely only an abstract [69:59] study of of a theoretical construct [70:02] rather than something that has to be [70:03] done on a constant basis. [70:04] >> Oh man. And I know there's going to be [70:06] people at home being like thinking to [70:09] themselves how beautiful it is that the [70:12] MLAS home is doing this. And of course I [70:14] can never have a 100 guests. Of course, [70:16] you know, your response is to do at [70:18] least one guest, but uh you know, I know [70:20] >> to want to do a guest. [70:22] >> I know this is not why you're here, but [70:23] I'm happy to uh you know, help encourage [70:26] the people watching this at home that [70:28] they can help the Mahas home. Uh [70:30] >> I hate talking about [70:31] >> I know. I know. and you're such a [70:33] genuine person, but I want to bring it [70:35] up. So, [70:38] >> we have we have a tax exempt [70:40] organization in the United States. [70:42] It's uh it's called [70:49] C H E S E Dermass. [70:52] >> No, it's not called. Okay. I don't even [70:55] know the name of my own organization, [70:56] right? It's like that's pretty good, [70:58] right? It's called Jerusalem. Forget [71:00] about it's called list.org. We'll we'll [71:03] link it down below.org [71:04] >> and uh people should go on and they [71:06] should donate because even even helping [71:09] pe you know feed people one meal is is [71:11] beautiful. But uh you literally I I [71:14] don't know 230 guests. [71:16] >> I know it's true until you come. [71:18] >> Okay, I'll take your word for it. I I [71:19] kind of believe you. Thank you so much [71:21] for [71:21] >> Hashem should bless you. You should be [71:22] successful. I I understand you're trying [71:24] to bring positive energy and teachings [71:26] and inspiration to the whole world. And [71:29] I do hope that you can impact at least [71:31] 14 million Jews and at least 8 billion [71:33] non-Jews. [71:34] >> Amen. [71:34] >> With your broadcast. [71:35] >> Thank you so much. [71:36] >> Shalom. [71:37] >> Thank you for listening to this week's [71:38] episode. Please show Rabbi Mahas some [71:40] love in the comment section and tell [71:41] them how much Henny story moved you. Use [71:43] the word powerful. I want to thank our [71:46] friends this week for helping us out. [71:47] JW, if you are looking for your best [71:50] shot, they are the ones to go to. [71:51] jwed.com. If you need a new car or you [71:54] want to lease or you want to buy a car [71:56] or sell a car, wheels to lease are your [71:58] people. If you want to help the neediest [72:00] people in Israel, Kolkabad has been [72:02] around for so many years. So, go ahead [72:05] and help the neediest people with their [72:06] push gap. And if you are looking to [72:08] upgrade your entire business, go check [72:11] out bitbean.com. Whether you're a small [72:13] business, medium-sized business, or huge [72:15] business, Bitbean can take care of you. [72:17] Of course, we're going to link down [72:18] below the book and any other important [72:20] notes from this episode. So my takeaway [72:22] is like this. They've fed hundreds of [72:25] thousands of people and of course they [72:27] did the for others and it literally [72:28] changed the trajectory of so many [72:30] people's lives. But something very [72:33] powerful that maybe you're getting a [72:35] sense of is the the way it impacted [72:37] their their family. I got to interact [72:39] with some of the Maka's children and of [72:41] course the they did outwardly is [72:43] beautiful and it changes the world. [72:45] Also, I think there's something that we [72:48] should selfishly know that when we do [72:50] the the the way it helps our character, [72:52] the way it helps our children develop is [72:55] really beautiful. And of course, you [72:56] could see that that character [72:58] development in Rabbi Mah and if you ever [73:00] meet his children and of course Rabbit [73:02] and he was was that pillar of being so [73:04] impacted by the people that stayed by [73:06] them. So just know when you do a it [73:09] helps the world but also it helps your [73:11] world. Remember inspirations everywhere. [73:15] living.
