Dayenu in Country Music City

Nashville, known across the country as Music City, became the Pesach City, on Monday and Tuesday night this week.

Right in the center of town, hundreds of people were dressed up in their finest, striding in to the luxurious five star Loews hotel. The accents were southern, yet one could discern a special Jewish excitement shining on their faces.

They were all eager to join the 5771 Chabad Seder at Loews. They came from all over; some Shul members, others never stepping into a Chabad house before. Some were from the immediate vicinity, and others happened to be passing through the city, yet they were all united as they enjoyed the Pesach Seder.

The Shluchim to Nashville, Rabbi Yitzchok and Esther Tiechtel, have been conducting these seders for many years, but each time feels like the first.

The enthusiasm and excitement was felt by all, and as everyone intoned together the vehi sheamdah, the Jewish pride came to the fore. The climactic moment of greeting eliyahu hanavi with a door wide open was most moving. Each individual was immersed in their thoughts, and focused on their own personal prayer.

Just a few blocks away, over a hundred students sang and danced the night away at their Pesach Seder, led by Shluchim Rabbi Shlomo and Nechama Rothstein at Vanderbilt University.

This Pesach, the sound of Dayenu overrode the county music tunes in the streets of Nashville. There was no doubt that each participant of the Pesach Seder at Chabad of Nashville walked out with the message of true freedom resounding.