Passover – Dayeinu

Creative Dayeinu

In essence, Dayeinu is a prayer of thanksgiving. It acknowledges our gratitude for everything we have by saying “it would have been enough” if God had given us one thing, but God gave us even more!

Dayeinu sparked a lot of creativity for people. First, you will find a reflection piece and poem written by congregant Bob Hirsh. Then, you will find lines written by our Chavaya participants in Nitzaneem (3rd and 4th Grade) and Ahleem (5th and 6th Grade. They looked at the traditional words of Dayeinu and wrote some of their own lines of gratitude.

How would you fill in the line?

If God had only _______________, but had not _______________, Dayeinu.


What am I thankful for?

I have so many things to be thankful for in my life. But there is one that always comes to mind at Passover. A special time for me to be thankful during the Passover Seder is when we come to Dayeinu. Twenty years ago, my daughter Jaime was in a very bad car accident. She was thrown from a car that flipped at 92 mph and went out the roof, landing on her feet.

She severely injured both legs, almost losing one leg. It took several surgeries and years of rehab for her recovery.

The first time we were able to take her anywhere, other than for medical reasons, was to a family Seder at my in-laws. Looking at Jaime when we recited Dayeinu, different words came to mind not found in the Haggadah. The fact that she was still alive, Dayeinu; and she did not lose her leg, Dayeinu. Then, over the years, at that point when we recited Dayeinu, the list got longer. She could walk without assistance of any kind, Dayeinu; she was able to pursue her passion for skiing to become an excellent off trail skier, Dayeinu; she was able to pursue her love of the outdoors through hiking and camping, Dayeinu; she became an avid road biker, Dayeinu; and finally, she took up running and finished the New York Marathon, Dayeinu.

Over the years I have been thankful for being lucky and healthy enough to pursue these interest with her. Dayeinu.

– by Bob Hirsh


Dayeinu

Dayeinu
It would have been enough
What does it really mean?

Dayeinu
God You showed us the way
One step at a time

You saved a people
One step at a time
Brought us out of Egypt, divided the sea
Gave us Manna, sustained us forty years

You showed us the way
One step at a time
Our story told in Torah
Time made Holy
Prophets of truth
Helped us dream a new path to freedom

Dayeinu
What does it really mean?
Prophets spoke Your word
It is not enough – Lo Dayeinu
I need your help
One step at a time

A new Dayeinu waits to be sung
One step at a time

Ending indifference to evil – Dayeinu
Care for elderly and sick – Dayeinu
Protection of our planet – Dayeinu
No longer teaching hatred – Dayeinu
End of war – Dayeinu
Love thy neighbor – Dayeinu
Bring shalom, complete peace to the world –  Dayeinu

Together God, You and us
The dream of a Passover
Where that song could be sung
Verse by verse

DAYEINU
One step at a time

– by Bob Hirsh


Chavaya Creative Dayeinu Lines

Nitzaneem, Morah Helene’s Group
If God had created shelter, but not technology, Dayeinu (it would have been enough.)
If God had given us food, but not a house, Dayeinu.
If God had given us houses, but not hiking trails or nature, Dayeinu.
If God had given us animals, but not luxuries (like wine), Dayeinu.
If God had created the world, but not the opportunity to appreciate it, Dayeinu.
If God had given us family, but not fruit trees, Dayeinu.

Nitzaneem, Jake’s Group
If my dad had only packed my snack, Dayeinu.
If my mom had only made my school lunch, Dayeinu.
If my dogs had only kept me company, Dayeinu.
If my friends had only helped me, Dayeinu.
If my dad had only bought a stove, Dayeinu.
If I only had shelter, Dayeinu.
If my mom only cooked food for me, Dayeinu.

Nitzaneem, Josh’s Group
If God had only sent us a wise teacher, but had not sent us Chavaya, Dayeinu.
If God had only given us food, but had not given us shelter, Dayeinu.
If God had only given us Zoom to see all of the people at Chavaya, but had not given us Chavaya, Dayeinu.
If God had only given us the Torah, but had not given us prayer books, Dayeinu.
If God had only given us the world, but had not given us anything else, Dayeinu.
If God had given us our family, but had not given us toys, Dayeinu.
If God had created humans, but had not given us toys, Dayeinu.

Nitzaneem, Morah Kai’s Group
If God had only created baseball, but not other sports, Dayeinu.
If God had only given me my family, but not given me video games, Dayeinu.
If God had only made food and shelter, but had not made sicknesses, Dayeinu.
If God had only given me my family, but not given me my favorite food, Dayeinu.
If God had only let us get out of Egypt, but not let us get to the Red Sea. Dayeinu.

Ahleem
If God had given everyone the ability to learn, but hadn’t given everyone the ability to teach. Dayeinu.
If God had given us the ability to have an online education, but hadn’t given me the chance to go to private school, Dayeinu.
If God had given me a house to be quarantined in, but hadn’t given me such a big, nice house, Dayeinu.
If God had only given us family, but had not given us friends, Dayeinu.
If we had not been pulled out of school, Dayeinu.
If my mom had only given me another Lego set, Dayeinu.
If God had had only given us food, water and shelter, but had not given us extra accessibilities, Dayeinu.
If God had only given us teachers, but not a school, Dayeinu.
If God had only given us peace, Dayeinu.
If God had only given me family, but not helped me lose my allergy, Dayeinu.