By COLlive reporter
As millions of Israelis were forced into bomb shelters just as they began the Pesach Seder on Wednesday night, the sound of the Haggadah did not fall silent; it simply moved underground.
As reported by The Times of Israel, the evening was shattered when Iran launched a massive barrage of approximately 10 ballistic missiles toward central Israel—the largest such salvo from Tehran since the current conflict began.
Simultaneously, Hezbollah joined the assault, firing over 100 rockets and drones from Lebanon, triggering sirens that spanned from the Galilee panhandle to the heart of Tel Aviv.
The holiday disruption was immense, but the spirit of the evening remained unbroken.
In cities like Bnei Brak, where sirens frequently interrupted the traditional chanting, residents refused to let the attacks dampen their celebration.
The Times of Israel reported that despite several injuries—including a 12-year-old and two 7-month-old infants hurt by shattered glass—the Seder continued. Residents described a night of relentless tension, yet the atmosphere was one of defiance rather than defeat. As one resident posted on social media while scrambling to safety for the sixth time: “There is no rest for this city,” yet the matzah was broken, and the cups were poured nonetheless.
The IDF confirmed that while interception systems were highly effective, the scale of the attack led to damage across central and northern Israel, including a missile carrying a cluster warhead that spread bomblets across residential areas in Rosh Haayin and destroyed a playground in Petah Tikva. In Kiryat Shmona, an 85-year-old man and a 34-year-old man were lightly injured when a building took a direct hit.
But for every siren that sounded, another Seder table was set in a safe room or a public shelter.
A poignant symbol of this resilience was seen on Shalom Aleichem Street in Jerusalem. Before Pesach, Yedioth Ahronot photographed 12-year-old Chaya Mushka Traxler as she was setting a festive Seder table inside a public shelter, ensuring the tradition continued despite the Home Front Command’s emergency guidelines.
This scene was repeated across the country, with many public Seders organized by Chabad Shluchim moving into underground parking garages to ensure the safety of thousands of participants.
The massive logistical effort to safeguard the holiday was led by organizations like Colel Chabad, which distributed more than 60,000 high-quality meals to hundreds of Seders this week. Supported by the Goubitz and Weiss families, the operation reached tens of thousands of Israelis, including evacuees and individuals from all walks of life.
“Everyone will be at the Seder—and everyone will be okay,” said Rabbi Mendy Blau of Colel Chabad, using a Hebrew play on words (Kulam Yiheyu BeSeder). He emphasized that specifically this year, they increased the volume of meals to more than any other year, fueled by a prayer for true freedom. As the holiday continues under high alert, the message from the shelters is clear: the light of Pesach cannot be extinguished by Iranian missiles.
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