We did not know that on Passover in Tzfat this year we would “see” the face of Hashem.

There is an intense feeling of presence of G-d here, and to a large degree it is manifested through Jewish people, as it often does, when there is unity.

It was felt even during the week leading to Passover, with the atmosphere of growing excitement. Than on the eve of Passover (Friday this year,)  the city suddenly became totally quiet. It was unlike a regular Friday with its festive atmosphere of approaching Shabbos, and Shabbos melodies playing everywhere before candle lighting. But Friday before Passover was eerily quiet while it became cold with strong winds making the clouds move very fast  –  you could feel something momentous was going to happen… 

And then it came – with prayer in the shul, Passover seder, and Chol HaMoed – all of it full of joy, unity and warmth of people sharing with each other. Everywhere we went we felt very welcome and close to other people. And Matza never tasted that good – we can not get enough of it!

Our seder was with a lively Israeli friends’ family, which was most of all about experience of Exodus, with everybody at the table, kids and grown-ups, telling the story loudly with a lot of acting and gesticulation. It was loud, wild and fun.  

Next day after the shul service we expected to have a lunch with another couple – recent olim from England. We joined them in their shul – a small sephardic congregation, called Alyah.  After the service one of the leaders of that shul – a Maroccan man dressed like a prince in white and gold – invited all four of us to join his family for kiddush. We followed him through the narrow alleys of Old City, until he opened one of the narrow doors, behind which we were surprised to see a huge room with three stone domes, lit with bright blue LED-s, and a beautiful inner courtyard. A big table was set like for a wedding. Inside there was a large Maroccan clan and their guests, all of them revolving around the head of the family -“Maroccan prince” who invited us. He seated us next to him, and made sure we have enough food and drink. After the kiddish he would not let us go, insisting we stay for lunch.There was a lot of singing, Divrei Torah, stories and laughter. We left four hours later.

Then on the first day of Chol HaMoed our Israeli friend came to pick us up to join his family at the picnic and barbecue in the forest near Tzfat, in a beautiful location, next to the cave of a famous medieval Rabbi, where there was barbecue, singing, good time…

There were other interesting encounters, visiting new places, etc, and the weather has been perfect.

Even a small part of what we experienced would be “Dayeinu” – enough for us… but  Passover week is not over yet, and there is still more to come…