Mentschlichkeit requires behaving in an elevated manner, even when others don’t. While I am still striving and often failing at living up to this definition, a perfect example of someone who embodies mentschlichkeit is Rabbi Mordechai Machlis from Jerusalem.
Rabbi Machlis hosts hundreds of guests every Shabbat. This is a tradition that began when his late wife, Rebbetzin Henny Machlis, was still alive.
He never knows how many people will show up, and he accepts all who wish to join.
One Friday evening, a man brought his donkey that guests were terrified of. In order to make everyone comfortable, Rabbi Machlis gently asked the man to keep his donkey outside. The man erupted in anger, calling Rabbi Machlis a hypocrite and imbecile.
Rabbi Machlis did not react, but instead he quietly listened, humbly nodding his head, and then apologized.
How the Machlis family never reacts negatively to their outrageous guests is beyond me. How they continue to host with such dignity and grace, no matter what, is truly unreal.
Our family coined the term, “Machlis Moment” to describe this type of mentschlichkeit in action.
I realize that I can’t be Rabbi or Rebbetzin Machlis. I can’t even pretend to try. But in everyday situations that require elevated responses, I can strive to “choose up” and create “Mentschlich Machlis Moments.” The Torah doesn’t require everyone to become a Machlis. We just need to be the greatest version of ourselves – and that is achieved with one “Machlis Moment” at a time.
