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Weekly Story: Why So much Suffering?

As today is Vov Tishrei, the Yahrtzeit of the Rebbe’s mother, Rebbetzin Chana, we present our weekly story – one final chapter in the story of Malka, the orphaned girl who learned from the Rebbe that she wasn’t abandoned, and her incredible encounter with Rebbetzin Chana.

***

by Rabbi Sholom Avtzon

Today, Vov Tishrei, is the yahrzeit of the Rebbe’s mother, Rebbetzin Chana. The following episode gives us an additional glimpse into her greatness.

Around six months ago, I chronicled 5 segments of Malka’s remarkable connection and interaction with the Rebbe, which captivated Jews around the world. It was titled “You Weren’t Abandoned” and on the fifth one I write Finale – for the time being. During the ensuing months, I have had additional correspondences with Malka and she informed me of numerous happenings.

As I mentioned in those articles, she is not looking for fame or recognition, to the contrary, that is something she shuns; but she is reluctantly allowing me to share with our readership and all Anash certain things that bring out the greatness of the Rebbe, and the power of his messages, which although were said 40, 50 and even 60 years ago are relevant today as when he said it then.

However, there are certain points of her life and conversations with the Rebbe, that are extremely private, which are not for a public forum. So just as when you tell someone a point of your life in confidence and you don’t want that person to share it with others, respect someone else’s wishes as well. Please appreciate the sacrifice it took to share and thereby reliving these painful situations, in order to benefit others.

Her criteria in allowing me to publish certain things is, if it would be beneficial to others; that dear readers is a tremendous responsibility and after much contemplation, and consultation with mashpi’im I decided not to go into gray areas, and only publicize what is definitely beneficial. Besides the point that too much information in one article dilutes the message.

*

The story so far was, In the 1950’s Malka looked forward to her bas mitzvah and the importance of growing as a bas yisroel. Then her loving parents informed her that she was adopted as a very young child. Being that they have no idea of who her birth parents were, she must undergo a geirus m’sufek (conversion just in case).

This news broke her spirits, as she felt she was abandoned by her birth parents, and these individuals who raised her had misled her for so many years. She replied she won’t go through the conversion process and if Hashem created her as a non-Jew, maybe that is what her destiny was.

Upon the advice of the Rabbi of their community, they came to the Rebbe and he informed her that her birth parents are Jewish and they had not forsaken her, rather they died in a car accident and are buried in…. . But, they still love her as does Hashem, who is the Father of all orphans. However, being that there are no witnesses to say who her parents are; she should go through the conversion process.

The Rebbe then asked her to promise him three things; A) she would always keep Shabbos B) she would also eat only kosher and C) she would visit him once a year. Promises which she keeps to this very day.

She graduated with honors, was accepted into an outstanding seminary and then tragedy struck again, her beloved adopted parents both passed away. Being the only survivors in their families, there were no relatives and her world was turned upside down once again. She then decided to study medicine.

After recovering from this she entered the shiddich scene and met a fine Jewish boy. However, after he heard that she went through a geirus process l’chumra, they had to break off, since he was a Kohen, and a kohen is forbidden from marrying a convert.

After recovering emotionally from this break-up, Malka went for her yearly visit and short talk with the Rebbe.

With this introduction I will now share some of the additional information which Malka informed me of, using her words:

Many ask why I merited witnessing this unique dimension of the Rebbe? Perhaps, his chassidim were shown his greatness in his teachings and holy books, but not his person. That dimension he occasionally would let some outsiders glimpse at, and for whatever reason, I was blessed to be one of those individuals.

Another part to the story of Malka: To me, this isn’t a “story” – it is life. And very private and personal. If it can help someone or inspire others, then I am willing to allow you to share it with the public and if you want, you may compose all these pieces of information (including the seamstress and her daughter’s information that dear readers is a separate story in due time) into a “story”. But ONLY if this information is beneficial to others.

*

The Rebbe’s Mother:  The Rebbe’s Mother had a very hard life of suffering! When I asked the Rebbe [after we had to break the shidduch], why Hashem makes so much suffering he told me that [it is best] for me to speak to his mother that afternoon [immediately following his 4 pm visit to his mother – so I should come to her apartment at around 5 pm], stating that his Mother is better and more able to explain that to me – which she did!

I would rather not repeat certain parts of it –  too personal. She told me things about my past that I did not know or was unaware of and she mapped out my entire future life…

I could share part of our conversation, two points (of 4) that she spoke about [in answer to my question]: “Why Hashem makes so much suffering?”, ( the OTHER 2 POINTS – I cannot share!)

She spoke at length about Yaakov, the “chosen”/greatest of the Avos, and all the unbearable suffering and personal tragedies he endured!

– starting with the “injustice” of his Father Yitzchok favoring his wicked brother (imagine the hurt and the feeling of not being appreciated! Yaakov knew what his brother was all about!),

– the need to flee the home of his parents (becoming a “refugee”! Leaving the home of not just his parents but his Rebbe/Role Model/Place of Spirituality!),

– living with Lavan (who was worse than Pharaoh and imagine the diminishing of Yaakov’s reputation by associating with Lavan – making a deal with the Devil! -which was needed to build the 12 tribes of Israel!),

– the abduction and defilement of his daughter Dina (whom he hid and protected from Essuv but destiny cannot be altered!)

– the loss of his favorite wife Rochel (and being separated from her eternally by burying her on the way, and meanwhile seeing the necessity of her to cry in the future for his exiled children!),

– the rivalry among his sons (not just to Yossef, but the disharmony between the tribes, discrimination to the maid-servants tribes and among themselves),

– the loss of Yossef (not just a favorite son but Yaakov’s true “chossid” believed to be torn apart by a wild beast, his “first born” from Rochel, his future replacement,  and one from who will be born Moshiach Ben Yossef – all gone!!),

– the exile from Israel to Egypt (leaving voluntarily from the Promised Land to the Nakedness of the Land, a country that the streets are treif and impossible to remain Jewish there)…

– till his final years of old age reunited with his son in Egypt and seeing all his grandchildren and the survival of the nation.

She spoke all this as if it was HER life of suffering and connecting EACH stage to her own (and Rebbe’s) past! (sometimes becoming very emotional)

(somethings she hinted or alluded to, and here is not the place to put down my own thoughts as to what she was alluding to, while other things she said directly). For example she said:

After all of her own stages of suffering, she, like Yaakov left the Land of Her Fathers, arrived in America which is like Egypt, the Nakedness of the Land with treif streets, to live out the final years of her life.

Here in America, she, like Yaakov, was once again reunited with her son, the Rebbe, whom she did not see for so many years and never thought she will ever see again!

More so, she was able to see, like Yaakov saw the growth of his family, she saw the rebirth of Lubavitch, the growth of chassidim and accomplishments of Lubavitch in this land, a land that did not have the merit of hosting the Rebbes of past generations.

To see Lubavitch grow in a country that never absorbed the blood sweat and tears of self sacrificing chassidim is simply an affirmation that it is part of the Master Plan of Hashem… that here, in the “Egypt of America” she sees the fruits of generations of labor and self-sacrifice. It is a miracle to see that  “what was planted there grows here”!

Of note: She stressed this point of “what was planted there grows here”! She even asked me after she said it, “Do you understand?”

After telling me of Yaakov’s life and her own life – she told me about all the stages of my own life…(very personal!!)…and that my all suffering and also hers and Yaakov’s (and all the suffering of the generations) is all part of the Master Plan, and then she explained to me certain things that I feel I cannot and must not ever repeat.

*

A second point that Rebbetzin Chana shared with me.

She spoke about her husband, a great kabbalist that was even able to discern the “sources” of an individual’s  neshama and their specific life mission (including if that neshama will have children……) and then she mapped out my neshama and the reasons for everything that happened and then she spoke about what will happen…

She sat at the end/head of the table and I sat at the side corner next to her. In middle of our conversation, after she spoke about her and the Rebbe’s life, she began to speak about mine. She then took hold of my hand in a compassionate and tender hold as she gently informed me that I won’t ever have physical children (but I too can have spiritual children – by helping orphans and partnering with Hashem who is the Father of all orphans (and noted that although her son and daughter in law – mentioning the Rebbe and Rebbetzin by name – did not have any biological children their marriage merited in bringing back many neshomas to Yiddishkeit and Chassidishkeit, which gives her tremendous joy)).

She also said to me a few times, “You are a true Malka (queen) and your name is Malka, and held my hand again. She then said a few endearing words (maybe Yiddish words that I did not know but probably Russian) – I did not catch the exact meaning of those words, (but they were clearly words of love)!

And then she mapped out the purpose of my neshoma and what my mission in life is. At that time my research was geared towards healing cancer (oncology) but she directed me to shift it to combating infertility and developing treatments.

She said that cancer is an enemy that will claim many victims but I will not be its victim. Instead I am a victim of infertility – like the Avos and the Rebbe.

She further explained that when one is attacked by an enemy, one has greater personal motivation and ultimately success to overcome one’s personal enemy.

She compared it to overcoming one’s personal yetzer hara. She used a chassidic/kabbalistic (or maybe Chazal) expression – which I missed…something like we can know our shlichus by the challenges we face.

*

Dear Readers,

Shidduchim is the first step that facilitates towards fertility.  It was of primary importance to the Rebbe, he considered making shidduchim true ahavas yisroel.  Please pray for and help if you can all singles seeking shidduchim to succeed (in helping Hashem with his mission of making shidduchim). Please pray that all shluchim of the Rebbe continue in his work of giving spiritual life to the world by bringing the light of Hashem’s Torah and mitzvos to their surroundings. And pray that Hashem should finally keep his promise to bring us Moshiach.

Malka

***

Dear readers, please join me in wishing Malka a gmar chasima tova in continued good health and may she indeed have nachas from the several hundred (if not thousands) of Yiddishe neshomas who are not just her spiritual children. May her efforts [monetary and professionally] on behalf of klal Yisroel be even more successful than until now. And may we all merit a gmar chasima tova and be zoche to the geulah shleima speedily in our days.

Another segment to be posted bezras Hashem around Yud Tes Kislev.

At this time, as I begin the third year of posting a weekly story, I ask all of you to please inform me of an unique story that you feel may be beneficial to our readers. Thank you.

Rabbi Avtzon is a veteran mechanech and author of numerous books. He is available to farbreng in your community and can be reached at avtzonbooks@gmail.com.

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68 Comments

  • Malka, Gmar Chasima Tova!

    You had the merit to connect to the Rebbe and to Rebbetzin Chana in unique ways. Thank you for sharing with so many of us, and inspiring us to carry on our life’s work as well. You have encouraged me a great deal. May all your brachos come true, and may Moshiach come right away. Thank you Rabbi Avtzon for these great stories.

  • Thank you do much

    I came to lubavitch after rebbetzin chana was niftar and always wondered what she was like. I merited to meet rebetzin nechama dina and wonder if you met her? I also had a close relationship with the rebbe from the age of 18 as an orphan. Thank you so much for explaining so much as i also dont have children

    • Share

      What was your close relationship with the Rebbe? Please contact the author and with your permission he will share it with all of us.

      Also, what do you mean by “Thank you so much for explaining so much” – what explanation did you get from this story as it relates to you not having children?

    • Kop Doktar

      To “Share”, In therapy, people share only what they want to, only when they want to and only when they feel they can. The therapist cannot pry, even though she is there to help. You my friend are not a therapist, you are not able to help, yet you pry for information that is not being share. That is called being intrusive. Shame on you.

  • shlucha

    I am so inspired by Malka. I reviewed all the parts to her story and am speechless. What a special person she is! I wish I can meet her.

    • I tried but failed

      I tried but did not succeed in contacting her. I would have wanted her to speak at a woman’s program. She is a private person who shuns the limelight.

    • shlucha

      Maybe Rabbi Kotlarsky can get in touch with her. He has the connections and ability to move mountains. She is educated and would be a great speaker at programs.
      JEM must get a video of her story to preserve it for the future.

    • Chosid

      Explain??

      Today’s Hayom Yom: “Walk discreetly with your G-d, one must take care not to be conspicuous or ostentatious in the slightest. It is said Man should always be artful in piety. The artfulness lies in seeing that his piety not to be noticed at all. We know that a number of early chassidim concealed their true selves, and when discovered were sincerely distressed. This is the avoda of teshuva that comes from hatznei’a lechet, being discreet.”

      What is your point Rabbi Avtzon?

      Are you saying that “someone” is doing teshuva by this kind of avoda?

    • Kop Doktar

      To “Chosid”, Rabbi Avtzon wrote “all I can say”, yet you ask him to “explain”! What part of “all I can say” don’t you understand? That is “all” (everything) he “can say” (you ain’t getting anything more!). Do you still need further “explanation”? Anyway, thanks for sharing the Hayom Yom with all of us, saved me time of finding the sefer.

    • Yitzy Moshe

      Wait a minute. Rabbi Avtzon says look at today’s Hayom Yom, on another site he wrote that Rebbe gave Malka his personal Hayom Yom…is there a connection between these two points? Did the Rebbe tell her to be like early chassidim by remaining concealed and if discovered it will cause her distress?

  • Wow!

    As I follow the story we get a glimpse of how the dots of Malka’s life connect and come full circle. He shidduch fell thru because she was a “convert” ( technicality an “asufi”) but she also could not have children. She herself was a baby adopted by parents who did not have children. Her inability to have children led her to bring life to many children. The unwavering faith and lifetime commitment to her past promises of keeping shabbos and kashrus when faced by so many challenges is so moving. We too all promised to be a tzaddik and can learn from her to keep our promise.

  • QUESTION

    I HAVE A QUESTION (MAYBE SAME AS OTHERS):

    DOES SOMEONE FROM MAZKIRUS (RABBI GRONER) REMEMBER HER????

    IS THERE ANY COLLATERAL INFORMATION, LIKE PEOPLE SHE INTERACTED WITH IN CROWN HEIGHTS???

    IS THERE ANY INFORMATION THAT MALKA SHARED ABOUT CROWN HEIGHTS DURING THE EARLY 50’S???

    DID SHE EVER GET A LETTER FROM REBBE THAT CAN BE SHARED??? I KNOW SHE GOT MATZA AND A COIN – ANYTHING ELSE???

    I AM NOT QUESTIONING HER OR BEING A YENTA TO PRY INTO HER PRIVACY, I JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE IMPERSONAL DETAILS THAT WOULD ENRICH AND GIVE CONTEXT!!!!

    • Rabbi Sholom Avtzon

      I spoke to Rabbi Groner and he replied he remembers when Malka came out of the Rebbe’s room from the yechidus around her bas mitzvah and he repeated to me the words of relief and happiness that Malka said to her adopted parents.

    • Ber

      In the article, you can read Malka wrote to Rabbi Avtzon he can include the story about Rebbetzin Chana’s seamstress and Rabbi Avtzon noted that is a story in itself, so yes there is information about those years.

      Additionally I heard this story from him and he showed me a picture of the Rebbe’s HaYom Yom which the Rebbe gave to her.

    • QUESTION

      Thank you for sharing that IMPORTANT detail of information. It gives so much context (and answers some unspoken questions). Did she or her adopted parents ever get any letters from Rebbe like on her birthdays (as was common in the early years)? PLEASE SHARE WHATEVER ELSE THAT YOU ARE ABLE!!!

    • Kop Doktar

      To Mr/Ms QUESTION,
      Let me ask you your own question – can Rabbi Groner verify who you are? Because if can’t verify your existence, maybe you don’t. Why does it matter whom she interacted with, like which store she shopped in on KIngston? Just because you write that you aren’t being a yenta doesn’t mean that it isn’t so. Some people just can’t help being what they are. This lady shared a personal story with all of us but you want her to share more. Why should she? Would you? You don’t even share your name.

  • Disagree

    You wrote:
    “chassidim were shown his greatness in his teachings and holy books, but not his person. That dimension he occasionally would let some outsiders glimpse at, and for whatever reason, I was blessed to be one of those individuals.”
    The seforim and the kesovim are the ONLY way to know the Rebbe.
    These personal interactions are chitzonius while the Sichos and Maamorim are the penimiyus.
    I disagree that outsiders would know the Rebbe better than chassidim who dedicate their lives studying Toras Menachem.

    • Miskil

      Some think thee are two parts to a Rebbe, 1. The Rebbe as a Rebbe; and 2. The Rebbe as a person. They think that an Etzem can have hischalkus (separations) each in its own compartment. Chassidus teaches us that an Etzem has no parts and when one grabs onto a “part” it is the whole.

  • Yesher Koach

    Really Amazing.
    A Gmar Chasimo Toivoh to Malka, we are really grateful. (And to R’ Avtzon, all the brochos, etc.)

    One interesting point, that is only a “Yesh Lomar”, possibly, could be:
    When she asked the Rebbe – “why Hashem makes so much suffering he told me that [it is best] for me to speak to his mother that afternoon [immediately following his 4 pm visit to his mother – so I should come to her apartment at around 5 pm], stating that his Mother is better and more able to explain that to me”.
    The Rebbe visited her mother mamesh before that meeting and was HE who told the Rebetzn some or all, or much of the points of that so important and sensitive conversation. The Rebbe obviously could explain by himself etc. The reason why the Rebbe told her go to his mother is because the Rebbe knew and understood that such important and emotional conversation with Malka needed (also) a heart and physical contact so that the words might come in Malka’s heart and in the best way.

    you can see:
    ” In middle of our conversation, after she spoke about her and the Rebbe’s life, she began to speak about mine. She then took hold of my hand in a compassionate and tender hold as she gently informed me…”
    And this fact the Rebbetzn understood by herself, everyone who knew the rebbetzin will attest of her big big heart and sensitivity. It was part of her essence.

    Ashreynu ma Tob Chelkeinu! All the deepest concepts in Chassidus (and definitions of a Rebbe) in one big story.
    Thanks!

    (Already translated to Spanish, to all who may concern:
    http://www.jasidinews.com/2017/09/jasidishe-maise-por-que-tanto.html)

    • Lefi Daati

      Firstly, there is so much depth and richness in this story that an entire book could be written about it. But my thoughts, lefi daati, was that the Rebbe maybe felt he shouldn’t talk about his own sufferings and hardships, since he was mekabel yisurim b’ahava or maybe did not even feel the yisurim at all (there is a famous chassidish mayseh about sending someone to a chosid who was oblivious to hardships). Maybe he felt his mother “earned” the right to complain about past suffering. Maybe he felt his mother had a special talent in explaining it and would devote the time needed with patience. Like I wrote above, this story can be analysed and studied for its immense wealth and richness.

  • My name is Malka too

    It is hashgocha protis that my name happens to be Malka too and I am right now going through some severe issues which make me feel low self esteem and low self worth.

    The one line in the story that spoke to me: ” “You are a true Malka (queen) and your name is Malka”.

    Printing this line davka now when I needed to hear that I am a Malak, was mamosh medicine to heal my emotions.

    My head is a held a bit higher and my neshoma is soaring once again.

  • Confused Sarah Dina

    I had a hard time following the entire complicated story.

    Did Malka go off the derech when she found out she was adopted or after her broken engagement?

    Does she still only keep shabbos and kosher or also other traditions?

    When she went to study at university and med school, did she attend Chabad on Campus?

    Sarah Dina Lefkowitz
    Monsey, N.Y.

    • Henny Friedman

      This is what I understood from following the story and the various comments.

      Malka was upset when she found out she was adopted. When tragedy struck again and her adopted parents died, she was broken. When she further had pain of a broken engagement caused by her adoption, she rebelled in anger at her upbringing and Hashem.

      By keeping her promise of shabbos and kosher and annual visits to the Rebbe, the Rebbe gently expanded her mitzvos to include brochas, yom tov, matza, yom kippur, davening, chanukah etc.

      She even recently built an eruv under the guidance of Rabbi Raskin of London.

      I doubt there was any Chabad on Campus when Malka was at university (maybe Hillel), back then Chabad Houses were only in major cities.

    • Confused Sarah Dina

      Thank you Henny. I am not Chabad (I assume you are) but I still enjoy reading stories of tzaddikim and Chazal. This story is unique because it does not take place in days of Besht or in a far away mystical place with unclear facts and details. Those stories are from the long ago past. But this story happened here in the USA just a few decades ago just before i was born. I always admired that Chabad go to far off places and are always ready to help other Yidden both frum and not. When my family goes on road trips, my father can always get a minyan while on the road at any Chabad in whatever state we are in.

    • To Confused Sarah Dina

      There are some wonderful Chabad people in Monsey. Maybe you already know them and they can help you learn more about Chabad. There is much more to Chabad than just helping other Yidden find a minyan during a road trip. It is a very rich chassidus which you might find charmng an enchanting. Membership is free LOL, Gmar tov, Simee Gotleib

  • Chochma vs Nevuah

    I don’t think this was nevuah but rather chochma.

    Chochma can be more revealing than nevuah.

    A chochom can see the future much clearer than a novee.

    Either way, the Rebbe’s mother was a remarkable woman.

  • Devora Leah

    This story and the entire series about Malka needs to be compiled into a book. Thank you Rabbi Avtzon for publishing this story and thank you Malka for sharing. My friends and I love reading about Malka’s fascinating life and it inspires us in our own lives. You can’t imagine the impact it has on us.

  • Story's Hero

    Is the “story” about Malka, or the Rebbe’s mother, or the Rebbe? I know all three play a role in this story, but who is the “hero”?

  • Farbrengen

    Just came home from a girls farbie and this story was told. Many girls were moved to tears. I was bawling my eyes out.

  • Inspired

    Malka stipulated that she is giving us this story only if it inspires others. I can let her know that I forwarded the story to my son (an older single in his early 30’s and does not wear a kippah or keep shabbos or kosher) became inspired enough to join us for the first day of sukkos (maybe once he is here he will stay for the entire yom tov). Of course he wants to also bring along his female non-Jewish friend but it is a baby step in the right direction. Yes indeed Malka, there is much suffering in the world.

    • Kop Doktar

      To Anon, She shared her pain anonymously! Why would she want to send her email to Rabbi Avtzon or anyone else and breach her confidentiality and privacy. You commented “anonymously”, why can’t she be given the same courtesy? I don’t get why everyone has long noses that poke into other people’s business.

  • In answer to share, my experience

    In answer to share. Yes i have contacted the author in the past and told him some of my experiences with the rebbe starting from june 1967. What malka explained that helped me so much is the realization that someone can have many spiritual children who they brought to yiddishkeit without having given birth physically to children. I have spiritual children and grandchildren but didnt give birth. This comforts me. I met rebbetzin nechamah dina and i felt i was in the presence of an angel. She gave me brachos to be like the previous lubavitcher rebbetzins. She glowed! I met her only once but it made a profound impression. I saw her upstairs in 770 i think it was the night of rosh hashana. I now have my answer of what rebbetzin chana was like

    • Kop Doktar

      I hope “Share” did not bully you into responding. You do NOT need to share anything with anyone unless YOU want to. Never do anything because others pressure you. I already told “Share” to mind her own business. Of course, if YOU want to share, by all means. There is no need o be secretive. It is healthy to be open, but make sure you know where your boundaries are and protect them.

  • The Moshol and The Nimshal

    I wonder what was the Rebbetzin’s nimshal for each stage of Yakov’s suffering? Some seem to apply today like the disharmony among the brothers and today’s disharmony among chassidim (e.g. meshichistim and antis and various din torah among shluchim etc.) which surely causes agmas nefesh and suffering to the Rebbe.

    • Obvious

      Some parts of the Moshel are obvious like her husband is buried there while she is buried here just like Yaakov and Rochel. Some are complex and we an only guess what she said about them.

    • Tried but failed

      I asked a friend of mine who is also friends with Rabbi Avtzon to try to get more info from him about Malka. My friend asked in every way possible but got no substantial info at all. Rabbi Avtzon’s lips were sealed. It is frustrating that he holds back information that would benefit us in our shlichus.

    • Tried but failed

      I also tried getting info through Rabbi Raskin of London but he either does not know or pretends not to know where Malka is located. I couldn’t even establish if she lives in North America, Europe, Israel…

    • Ber

      Did either of you think that he is being honest in his commitment to Malka not to publicize any information she asked him not to.
      He told me clearly that she lives in America, and more than that he cannot say.
      Maybe that is why she trusts him with this so private information.
      Instead of bashing Rabbi Avtzon, he should be thanked for publicizing this.in spite of the criticism that a few readers say.

    • Kop Doktar

      My Gosh! Everyone is a skeptic and a yenta! If she said she tried but failed to contact her (a) believe her! and (b) why must you know how she tried? Look, I am curious ho you are but I have the nominal decency not to demand that you tell me your name and contact information. What is it with you people. There are so many offenders of this basic privacy rule not to intrude on others!

    • To Ber

      “America” can mean North America (which includes Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands), Central America (which includes Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama), and also South America. Basically the entire Western Hemisphere! Does “America” mean the USA?

  • Great story

    Loved the story from Part 1 and this continuation. Can’t wait to read more? (It is such a mystery who “the seamstress and daughter” are and what information they share?!)

  • Touched by Malka

    You know what REALLY touched me? Malka’s personal message to the readers, 1. that we should pray for singles and help to find them shidduchim 2. that we should pray and support the shluchim 3. that we should daven for mashiach.
    WOW.
    Malka was asked by the Rebbe to keep 3 things (kosher, shabbat and annual visit), now she asks us to pray for 3 things. It isn’t just 3 = 3.
    Kosher means a jewish home = shidduchim.
    Shabbat is a spiriual day = Shluchim bring spirituality.
    Annual visit = livaker b’hecholo (in L’Dovid): Moshiach.
    I don’t know if Malka intended this in her message but it moved me.

  • Illustration of Story

    A young Malka leading her non-observant birth father towards the light of Torah.

  • Joe

    If I am not mistaken the rebetzin lived 17 years in America similar to yakov avinu in mitzryim

    • Which state?

      Can you share which state? There must be a Chabad House a stone throw away in her dalad amos that would welcome her with open arms.

  • Missed this!

    With kaporos and yom kippur and all the busyness I missed this story which I was following. Just by accident I found it as I was checking “old news”. You know, it isn’t right to put this story in a time when we are all too busy.

  • If I were Malka...

    If I were Malka I would never tell these encounters to the mass public. What happens in private stays private. Who told her that she may tell these revelations to the public? Did she ask her mashpia?

  • Open Invitation

    Malka, if you would like, you are invited and welcome to join me and my family for Sukkot (as long or as short as you wish). I can cater to any fare of preferred food menu (vegetarian, vegan or meat based American – any shechita you wish). It would be our pleasure and honor. If you decide to join us, we will have a joint Young Israel and Agudah women’s community wide gathering after the meal for simchat bait hashoveva. Doris Applebaum, 5-Towns, N.Y.

  • Courage

    I am impressed with the courage of “Malka” to share her personal challenges and suffering in such a public forum. Even though she hides her identity, some of us are able to figure out who she is as we had encountered her over the many years of her brief visits to the neighborhood and remember her well.

  • So many comments

    Average story gets 0 – 3 comments, yet this story gets over 65 comments. WHY???????????