We take time to say dayenu: “it would have been enough.” While we yearn for a better, brighter, freer world, we also recognize that we have been given so much already. Gratitude is a catalyst for joy, and joy gives us strength to keep pushing towards the world we wish to see. So many of our forebears bring us joy and inspiration. Let’s first sing the traditional first verse of the song Dayenu. All together:

Ilu, ilu hotzianu! Hotzianu mimitzrayim! Hotzianu mimitzrayim, Dayenu! Da-y, Dayenu! Da-y, Dayenu! Da-y, Dayenu! Dayenu, Dayenu!

To which we add: (spoken) 

If all we’d had was the resilience of our Japanese-American ancestors who survived and rebelled against WWII incarceration, Da-y, Dayenu! Da-y, Dayenu! Da-y, Dayenu! Dayenu, Dayenu!

If all we’d had was the solidarity and organizing power of Filipino-American farmworkers who joined with Mexican-Americans to win labor victories, Da-y, Dayenu! Da-y, Dayenu! Da-y, Dayenu! Dayenu, Dayenu!

If all we’d had was the ingenuity of our Chinese-American “paper children” who circumvented racist immigration laws to come to the United States, Da-y, Dayenu! Da-y, Dayenu! Da-y, Dayenu! Dayenu, Dayenu!

Now let’s add our own verses! What are you grateful for? After each suggestion, sing: Da-y, Dayenu! Da-y, Dayenu! Da-y, Dayenu! Dayenu, Dayenu!


haggadah Section: Songs
Source: LUNAR Haggadah 2023