Dayenu. The word simply means: it would have been enough.

The song lists everything God did for the Israelites on the way from slavery to freedom — and after each gift, we stop and say: even just that, on its own, would have been enough.

If You had only heard us crying in Egypt - Dayenu

If You had only helped us leave slavery behind - Dayenu

If You had only watched over us in the night - Dayenu

If You had only made a path for us through the sea - Dayenu

If You had only led us safely through the desert - Dayenu

If You had only given us food when we were hungry - Dayenu

If You had only given us water when we were thirsty - Dayenu

If You had only brought us to Mount Sinai - Dayenu

If You had only given us teachings to help us live with kindness and wisdom - Dayenu

If You had only taught us to remember the stranger and care for others - Dayenu

But You gave us so many gifts:

freedom, food, water, hope, and love.

For every gift, we say thank You.

For every step, we say Dayenu.

Dayenu. Dayenu. Dayenu.

(Sing Dayeinu)

Refrain

Dai, dayenu, dai dayenu,

Dai dayenu, dayenu, dayenu, dayenu (repeat)

1. Ilu hotzi hotzianu

Hotzianu mimitzrayim,

Hotzianu mimitzrayim,

Dayenu Refrain

2. Ilu natan natan lanu

Natan lanu et hatorah

Natan lanu et hatorah

Dayenu Refrain

3. Ilu natan natan lanu,

Natan lanu et hashabbat,

Natan lanu et hashabbat,

Dayenu Refrain

In every generation, each of us is obligated to see ourselves as if we personally left Egypt.

The story is not something that happened to other people a long time ago.

It happened to us. It is still happening — every time someone is oppressed, every time someone is freed, every time we choose to notice suffering rather than look away.

We raise our glasses for the second cup of wine — for freedom.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p'ree hagafen.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

(Drink the second cup)

All Jewish celebrations, from holidays to weddings, include wine as a symbol of our joy—not to mention a practical way to increase that joy. The seder starts with wine and then gives us three more opportunities to refill our cups and drink. 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן:     

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree hagafen.

We praise you, Adonai, our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

We praise you, Adonai, our God, Ruler of the universe, who created a heritage that endures through the ages, ever changing and ever meaningful. We thank You for the many opportunities for holiness as we celebrate this joyous holiday of matzah together, remembering the liberation, the Exodus from Egypt. We praise you, God, who makes us holy in our celebration.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה:

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, she-hechiyanu v’key’manu v’higiyanu lazman hazeh.

We praise you, Adonai, our God, Ruler of the universe, who has given us life, sustained us, and brought us to this joyous season.

Drink the first glass of wine!

We praise you, Adonai, our God, Ruler of the universe, who redeemed us and our ancestors from slavery, enabling us to reach this night and eat matzah and bitter herbs. May we continue to reach future holidays in peace and happiness. 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן:     

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam,
borei p’ree hagafen.

We praise you, Adonai, our God, Ruler of the universe, 
who creates the fruit of the vine.

Drink the second glass of wine!

The Passover Haggadah recounts ten plagues that afflicted Egyptian society. In our tradition, Passover is the season in which we imagine our own lives within the story and the story within our lives. Accordingly, we turn our thoughts to the many plagues affecting our society today. Our journey from slavery to redemption is ongoing, demanding the work of our hearts and hands. Here are ten “modern plagues”:

Homelessness

Hunger

Inequality

Greed

Discrimination and hatred

Silence amid violence

Environmental destruction

Stigma of mental illness

Ignoring refugees

Powerlessness

As in many world cultures and religions, water is a symbol of purification in Judaism. We will wash our hands twice during our seder—now, with no blessing, to get us ready for the rituals to come, and then again later, with a blessing, to prepare us for the meal, which Judaism thinks of as a ritual in itself. (The Jewish obsession with food is older than you thought!) 

To wash your hands, you don’t need soap, but you do need a cup to pour water over them. Pour water on each of your hands three times, alternating between them.

Celebrating Passover gives us all the opportunity to pause and reflect on what brings us together. 

Discussion Question

Let’s take a moment to consider what we hope to get out of our evening together. Go around the table and share one hope or expectation you have, or something you want to learn at tonight’s seder.