Melava Malka Stories

From Bali to Israel

A young man from Rabbi Raskin’s congregation was getting married in Israel and his journey from Indonesia to Israel is a story of Hashgacha Pratis – Divine Intervention!

It all began with the groom’s grandfather, a textile merchant who immigrated from Iraq to Israel before 1948. As his business dealings expanded and developed in international arenas, he decided to move his family to Bali, Indonesia. He arrived there with his wife and young daughter, Chana.

The Mysterious Salvation

It happened one day that a poor man who lived close to Vilna, came to the city of Vilna. He was a very learned person and a Chasid and was walking to Liozna to the Alter Rebbe. Passing through Vilna, he decided to remain there for Shabbat. He made himself comfortable in the synagogue, took out a Gemara (book of the Oral Torah) from the bookcase and sat down to learn.The shamash (synagogue caretaker) realized that this passerby was not like the usual poor people.

A Miraculous Survival

“There are no atheists in a foxhole…”

“I was contacted by our unit commander and told to go meet up with a group of soldiers. We cannot send you any more ammunition. Just use what you have and if you need more, take from those who are gone.

A historical overview of Chanukah and its lessons in our lives

More than 2,000 years ago there was a period when the Land of Israel was part of the Syrian-Greek Empire, ruled by the dynasty of the Seleucids. In 174 BCE – 3586 on the Jewish calendar, Antiochus IV ruled the region. He was called Epiphanes, meaning ‘the gods beloved’, but the people called him Epimanes – ‘madman’ – a title more suited to the character of this harsh and cruel king.

Reb DovBer of Harki

Our knowledge of our great grandfather comes primarily from his son Reb Yaakov Yosef Raskin (1901- 1986), brother of the famous Bobba Sara, Hy’d, our grandmother, and after leaving Russia, lived in Israel.

Continue reading Reb DovBer of Harki

The Power of Prayer and Commitment

“My husband David was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and was hospitalized. One day the team of doctors came in and I could tell by the looks on their faces that it was not good news.

The benefit of Tzedakah

Reb Menachem Mendel of Kosovo* decided to go visit his Rebbe, Reb Feivish of Zabrze, who was spending Shabbat in the city of Skole. Being poor, he traveled by foot, walking slowly along the way. By Thursday evening, he came upon an inn in a village close by and decided to remain there for the night. All day not a morsel of food entered his mouth, and in addition he was tired and weary from traveling.

Continue reading The benefit of Tzedakah

The life of Rabbi Menachem Nochum Twersky

Reb Menachem Nochum* was orphaned from his father and mother at a young age. He had a traumatic childhood and continued to suffer many hardships throughout his life.

Lighting up the World

For our family, we need look no further than our grandparents, Zaidy Elchonon Hy’d and Bubby Maryashe*, z’l. Our grandparents grew up in Russia in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s when pogroms and anti-Semitism were rampant. Then came communism and Russia became an unbearable place for Jewish people committed to their heritage.

The power of Tanya

The Rebbe’s grandfather, Reb Meir Shlomo Yanovsky*, was the Rav of Nikolayev. Once, there was a typhus epidemic and Reb Meir Shlomo fell ill. At that time there was no known cure for the illness. All the victims were quarantined in a building outside the city to avoid spreading the disease, and they were treated by a doctor who visited daily. Very few people returned from the building alive.