On Pesach we reached great heights of holiness, by eradicating every trace of Chametz and eating the Matzah. Matzah, the only food we are commanded by the Torah to eat, is not mere food; it is an item of holiness which elevates us upon consumption. And after eating it for the entire duration of Pesach, we have unlocked true potential - anything can happen now.
Now is the time when we implement the words mentioned in the Hagaddah, "L'maan Tizkor Yom Tzeischa Mimitzrayim Kol Yemei Chayecha" - in order that you remember the day you left Mitzrayim all the days of your life - "Lehavi Limos Hamashiach," - to hasten the days of Mashiach.
Those who reside outside of Eretz Yisrael celebrate an extra day of Pesach due to uncertainty at the time the calendar was implemented. The Chasam Sofer tells us that even when Mashiach comes we will continue celebrating this extra day, to remind us of our time in Galus. The comparison of exile to freedom, from darkness to light, will be a powerful one. On the eighth day of Pesach - the day that is only celebrated outside of Eretz Yisrael- we read in the Haftorah about the glory of Mashiach, about the peace that will reign as Hashem brings the ultimate light to this world. We read this here in exile to remind us of the potential that we have unlocked during the past week - potential that we must remember despite our bleak surroundings.
Before Pesach we worked endlessly to remove every speck of Chametz - every trace of impurity. We spent a week in pristine surroundings eating holy food. We have reached a lofty plateau and have the power to bring Mashiach. We can bring the Geulah by heeding the words of the Hagaddah and remembering the darkness of Mitzrayim. May we soon merit to compare that darkness to the shining light of Mashiach.
Wishing you a wonderful Shabbos
