The name of this prayer is Dayenu, which means “it would have sufficed” or “we would have been satisfied.” Perhaps “grateful” would be a better translation. Dayenu is the song of our gratitude. A Jewish philosopher was once asked, “what is the opposite of hopelessness?” And he said, “Dayenu,” the ability to be thankful for what we have received, for what we are. The first prayer that a Jew is expected to recite upon waking expresses their gratitude for being alive. This holds for all generations, and surely ours. For each of us, every day should be an act of grace, every hour a miraculous offering.

INSERT DAYENU LYRICS IN HEBREW AND ENGLISH

Second Cup of Wine:

As we come together this year the world can seem grim, and at times we are very tired and lose hope of any change occurring, especially with the pace and level of destruction this global pandemic is causing. What we drink to tonight is our community fomenting change together, around this table and around the world. We all are engaged in struggle, personally, in this country, and internationally. This year, we drink to the people around the world who have taken the streets, the buildings, the cities in protest of unjust, racist and classist wars. Tonight we come together to recount the stories from the past, share stories of present struggles, and envision together the future we will build with our allies.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָפֶן

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, borei p'ri hagafen.

Praised are you, Adonai, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has created the fruit of the vine.


haggadah Section: -- Cup #2 & Dayenu