As we know, Pesach is the holiday in which each Jew should meditate on attaining freedom from his own boundaries of fear and desires and craving, and especially, his false imaginations on whom he is and what is reality. 

India is maybe the most imaginary place in the world, offering all kinds of fast enlightenments and relief from the sufferings of the world. One of our sages said that whoever wants to see the ancient Egypt of biblical times can go and see today's' India. 

One traveler said that the Chabad house is like Tevat Noach in the middle of the flood. He was referring to the flood of illusions and false possibilities that is the offerings of India- of things promising him a cure, or happiness, instant wisdom and serenity. In truth, all these glittery things actually create barriers between the person and his own true nature.

 After time exploring all of these ventures, feeling that their thirst for true answers is yet to be satisfied, hundreds gather together to celebrate the Passover, to read the Haggadah and to taste the bread of faith in the Beit Chabad. Thank G-d, also this Pesach (our sixth in Daramshala) we had a wonderful evening filled with singing and joy, a true union between all the different Jewish backgrounds.

            Arranging the Seder for over 700 guests was not a simple task, but with Hashem's help, as well as that of all the travelers guided by the devoted Shlochim of the Rebbe, we experienced the miracles of Yitziat Mitzraim.

 

The Chabad house is completely dependant on the help of the people who visit it. The reason we built it as such instead of taking local workers is to give the travelers the feeling that without them, we can not do it. This is very important to allow them to feel that this is their Pesach. For most, it is their first time to prepare as well as share in a completely Kosher Seder. They open up to discover what Pesach really means. Although there is the fear that we won't have help, we are never disappointed. This year, all the work, including setting serving and clearing during the Seder itself, was organized and run by three travelers who came in three days before the Seder and took command. These girls literally disappeared the night of the Seder, having completed their mission with love and devotion.

It is said that in the days of Moshiach, we will see how every Jew is ready to give himself totally to serve Hashem with happiness and faithfulness. Whoever wants to see a spark of that is invited to join us in next years Pesach preparations.

During the Seder itself, people sat on mattresses on the floor in groups of 30-50 each having a feeling of a family gathered together to celebrate a very special event that no one really understands. I was sitting together with my friend Ofir, looking at the hundreds of people, who usually have no connection at all to Judaism, but still, for some unexplainable reason, they all shared a desire to partake of the matzah, the bread of faith. There is no way to explain why one wants to eat a dry cracker- it has nothing to do with habits or education which force the person to act according to his understanding. Eating the Matzah is a true choice of freedom- free from the limitation of the understanding of the mind.

 

 It was already late, but not one person left the Seder until we all sang together Eichad Elokeinu, One is Hashem, the voices filling and lifting up the whole mountain village. I remember one of the Indian villagers standing nearby saying to me, "this is a very powerful energy, but its not only powerful, it is positive." 

Although we had so many people, we know that if we had a place three times bigger, or even four times bigger, it would still be full.

Go-d willing that we will be celebrating the next Passover in Beith Hamikdash in Jerusalem!!!