The plagues and our subsequent redemption from Egypt are but one example of the gratitude we can show for the miracles large and small that can occur in our lives. Dayeinu callus upon us to acknowledge the miraculous, express gratitude for the path of our own lives and the small moments of redemption that take place in the world. If any moment had happened alone it would have been enough – dayeinu!

אִלּוּ הוֹצִיאָֽנוּ מִמִּצְרַֽיִם, דַּיֵּנוּ

Ilu hotzi- hotzianu, Hotzianu mi-mitzrayim Hotzianu mi-mitzrayim, Dayeinu

If God had only taken us out of Egypt, that would have been enough!

אִלּוּ נָתַן לָֽנוּ אֶת־הַתּוֹרָה, דַּיֵּנוּ

Ilu natan natan lanu, natan lanu et ha-Torah, Natan lanu et ha-Torah , Dayeinu

If God had only given us the Torah, that would have been enough.

The complete lyrics to Dayeinu tell the entire story of the Exodus from Egypt as a series of miracles tradition holds that God performed for us.

Dayeinu also reminds us that each of our lives is the cumulative result of many blessings, small and large.

Fun fact: Persian and Afghani Jews hit each other over the heads and shoulders with scallions every time they say Dayenu! They especially use the scallions in the ninth stanza which mentions the manna that the Israelites ate everyday in the desert, because Torah tells us that the Israelites began to complain about the manna and longed for the onions, leeks and garlic. (Elizabeth Spring)


haggadah Section: Songs
Source: Inspired by "Jewish Boston"