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!

נִרְצָהEnding the seder and thinking about the future | nirtzah |

Our seder is over, according to Jewish tradition and law. As we had the pleasure to gather for a seder this year, we hope to once again have the opportunity in the years to come. We pray that God brings health and healing to Israel and all the people of the world, especially those impacted by natural tragedy and war. As we say…

לְשָׁנָה הַבָּאָה בִּירוּשָׁלָֽיִם:

L’shana haba-ah biy’rushalayim

NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!

Happy Passover!

Tonight we gather together to celebrate Passover, our holiday of freedom. We will eat a great meal together, enjoy (at least!) four glasses of wine, and tell the story of our ancestors’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. We welcome our friends and family members from other backgrounds to reflect with us on the meaning of freedom in all our lives and histories. We will consider the blessings in our lives, pledge to work harder at freeing those who still suffer, and begin to cast off the things in our own lives that oppress us.

As we get started, get comfortable! Find a pillow to help you recline. In ancient times, eating while lounging on a pillow or couch was a sign of freedom. We anticipate this seder should take about a half hour from start to dinner. Enjoy!

בָּרֵךְSaying grace after the meal and inviting Elijah the Prophet | bareich |

Refill everyone’s wine glass.

We now say grace after the meal, thanking God for the food we’ve eaten. On Passover, this becomes something like an extended toast to God, culminating with drinking our third glass of wine for the evening:

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, whose goodness sustains the world. You are the origin of love and compassion, the source of bread for all. Thanks to You, we need never lack for food; You provide food enough for everyone. We praise God, source of food for everyone.

As it says in the Torah: When you have eaten and are satisfied, give praise to your God who has given you this good earth. We praise God for the earth and for its sustenance.

Renew our spiritual center in our time. We praise God, who centers us.

May the source of peace grant peace to us, to the Jewish people, and to the entire world. Amen.

The Third Glass of Wine

The blessing over the meal is immediately followed by another blessing over the wine:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן:

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

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Drink the third glass of wine!