DAYEINU  - IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH

One of the most beloved songs in the Passover Seder is Dayeinu. Dayeinu commemorates a long list of miraculous things God did, any one of which would have been pretty amazing just by itself. For example, “Had God only taken us out of Egypt but not punished the Egyptians – it would have been enough.” “Dayeinu,” translated liberally, means, “Thank you, God, for overdoing it.”

Dayeinu is a reminder to never forget all the miracles in our lives. When we stand and wait impatiently for the next one to appear, we are missing the point of life. Instead, we can actively seek a new reason to be grateful, a reason to say “Dayeinu.”

LET'S SING:

Ilu ho-tsi, ho-tsi-a-nu, ho-tsi-a-nu mi-Mitz-ra-yim, ho-tsi-a-nu mi-Mitz-ra-yim, da-ye-nu!

If he had brought us all out of Egypt, it would have been enough!

CHORUS: Dai, da-ye-nu, Dai, da-ye-nu, Dai, da-ye-nu, Da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu! Ilu na-tan, na-tan la-nu, na-tan la-nu et-ha-Sha-bat, na-tan la-nu et-ha-Sha-bat, da-ye-nu!

If he had given us Shabbat it would have been enough!

CHORUS: Dai, da-ye-nu, Dai, da-ye-nu, Dai, da-ye-nu, Da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu! Ilu na-tan, na-tan la-nu, na-tan la-nu et-ha-To-rah, na-tan la-nu et-ha-To-rah, da-ye-nu!

If he had given us the Torah it would have been enough!

CHORUS: Dai, da-ye-nu, Dai, da-ye-nu, Dai, da-ye-nu, Da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu! Dai, da-ye-nu, Dai, da-ye-nu, Dai, da-ye-nu, Da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu!

A CONTEMPORARY DAYEINU

So let’s bring Dayeinu into the present. We are grateful, and yet what miracles and accomplishments would be sucient (dayeinu) in today’s world for us to be truly satisfied?

When all workers of the world receive just compensation and respect for their labors, enjoy safe, healthy and secure working conditions, and can take pride in their work... DAYEINU

When governments end the escalating production of devastating weapons, secure in the knowledge that they will not be necessary... DAYEINU

When technology is for the production and conservation of energy and our other natural resources is developed so that we can maintain responsible and comfortable lifestyles and still assure a safe environment for our children... DAYEINU


When the air, water, fellow creatures and beautiful world are protected for the benefit and enjoyment of all... DAYEINU
When all politicians work honestly for the good of all... DAYEINU

When all women and men are allowed to make their own decisions on matters regarding their own bodies and their personal relationships without discrimination or legal consequences... DAYEINU

When people of all ages, genders, races, religions, cultures and nations respect and appreciate one another... DAYEINU

When all children grow up in freedom, without hunger, and with the love and support they need to realize their full potential... DAYEINU

When all children, men and women are free of the threat of violence, abuse and domination; when personal power and strength are not used as weapons... DAYEINU

When all people have access to the information and care they need for their physical, mental and spiritual well-being... DAYEINU

When food and shelter are accepted as human rights, not as commodities, and are available to all ... DAYEINU

When no elderly person in our society has to fear hunger, cold, or loneliness... DAYEINU
When the people of the Middle East, and all people living in strife, are able to create paths to just and lasting peace... DAYEINU


When people everywhere have the opportunities we have to celebrate our culture and use it as a basis for progressive change in the world... DAYEINU

TOGETHER: 

If tonight each person could say this year I worked as hard as I could toward my goals for improving this world, so that one day all people can experience the joy and freedom I feel sitting with my family and friends at the Seder table... DAYEINU, DAYEINU


haggadah Section: -- Cup #2 & Dayenu