Raul equalled Gerd Muller's goalscoring record in all major European competitions in Schalke win.
Striker joins Muller at the top of the goalscoring charts
Raul celebrated a personal milestone in Gelsenkirchen by scoring a brace and equalling the legendary Gerd Muller's goalscoring record in all major European competitions.
The former Real Madrid striker notched Champions League goals 67 and 68 as he inspired Schalke to a comfortable 3-1 victory in Group B.
The Bundesliga outfit put aside their poor domestic form to comfortably dispatch the Israeli side at the Arena AufSchalke.
But Raul will now have to wait a fortnight for the return meeting between the sides in Tel-Aviv before attempting to beat 'Der Bomber's' record.
The Germans have collected just five points from their opening eight matches in the Bundesliga but were looking to maintain their Champions League ambitions against Hapoel having beaten Benfica and lost to Lyon in their previous two games.
Felix Magath made two changes to the side which drew 2-2 with Stuttgart at the weekend. Midfielder Jermaine Jones returned from a domestic ban while Jefferson Farfan came in after being rested.
The coach started with a forward line boasting former Real Madrid stars Raul and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
Meanwhile, Hapoel head coach Eli Guttman recalled Avihay Yadin after he suffered an ankle knock against arch rivals Maccabi at the weekend.
Striker Etey Shechter also made a return following a hamstring injury sustained while on international duty while former Chelsea forward Ben Sahar made the bench.
Blistering start
The Germans made a blistering start against Hapoel taking the lead after just three minutes.
Jose Manuel Jurado's slick through ball was superbly dummied by Huntelaar and Raul was on hand to pass the ball past a helpless Vincent Enyeama.
It was only the former Real Madrid striker's second goal in royal blue colours since his summer move from the Bernabeu, but his effort was a landmark goal as he became the first player to score in 15 different Champions League seasons.
The understanding between himself and Huntelaar was clear to see in a wonderful free flowing move.
Dutch ace Huntelaar was becoming an ever growing threat as the half grew older.
First the former Milan and Ajax forward turned Atsuto Uchida right-wing cross wide of goal and minutes later Jurado found Huntelaar with a delightfully weighted pass but his effort was well blocked by Enyeama.
Huntelaar then saw his flicked header fly over the top of the crossbar 10 minutes before half-time and minutes later the Holland international headed straight at the Nigerian stopper.
The visitors showed good spirit to stay in the game keeping decent possession at times but rarely threatened the Germans.
Indeed, it took until a minute before the break before the Israelis could muster their first effort on target as Omri Kende's dipping strike was well held by Manuel Neuer.
Record
Schalke began the second half as they began the first and once again Huntelaar came close to scoring when Jurado's deep cross was fumbled by Enyeama, the Dutch ace managed to head not once, but twice against the crossbar to the disbelief of the home fans.
However, the hosts soon made their dominance count and it was that man Raul who equalled the former Bayern Munich great Muller's record just before the hour mark.
Huntelaar found substitute Ivan Rakitic down the right and his slide rule pass across the face of goal was buried by the predatory forward beyond Enyeama with his right-foot, which was quickly followed by the Spaniards trademark celebration.
Ten minutes later, the Budesliga side added their third goal of the night through the impressive Jurado.
The summer signing from Atletico Madrid showed superb vision, precision and power as he guided his right-foot curler beyond the reach of Enyeama in-off the far post.
Schalke failed to keep a clean sheet though as Shechter bundled in a long free-kick which Neuer made a mess attempting to clear.
However, it didn't spoil Schalke's or Raul's night as the Germans secured a vital three points to put them in contention for automatic qualification for the knockout stages.
