The verses of the song begin with the children of Israel in Egypt.
Verse 1:
"If He had brought us out from Egypt, [Ilu hotzianu mimitzrayim, אִלּוּ הוֹצִיאָנוּ מִמְּצָרִים
and had not carried out judgments against them [v'lo asah vahem s'fatim, וְלֹא עָשָׂה בָּהֶם שְׁפָטִים
— Dayeinu, it would have been enough! [dayeinu! דַּיֵּנוּ
The song continues through the Israelites' time of wandering in the desert and traditionally ends with their entry into the promised land."If He had brought us out from Egypt, [Ilu hotzianu mimitzrayim, אִלּוּ הוֹצִיאָנוּ מִמְּצָרִים
and had not carried out judgments against them [v'lo asah vahem s'fatim, וְלֹא עָשָׂה בָּהֶם שְׁפָטִים
— Dayeinu, it would have been enough! [dayeinu! דַּיֵּנוּ
Verse 13:
"If He had brought us into the land of Israel, [Ilu hichnisanu l'eretz yisra'eil, אִלּוּ הִכְנִיסָנוּ לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל
and not built for us the Holy Temple [v'lo vanah lanu et beit hamikdash, וְלֹא בָּנָה לָנוּ אֶת בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ
— Dayeinu, it would have been enough! [dayeinu! דַּיֵּנוּ
"If He had brought us into the land of Israel, [Ilu hichnisanu l'eretz yisra'eil, אִלּוּ הִכְנִיסָנוּ לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל
and not built for us the Holy Temple [v'lo vanah lanu et beit hamikdash, וְלֹא בָּנָה לָנוּ אֶת בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ
— Dayeinu, it would have been enough! [dayeinu! דַּיֵּנוּ
The tune is upbeat and catchy, and I find myself humming it from time to time throughout the year.
God showers us with so many blessings! How often do we stop to think about how undeserving we are? In addition to the air we breathe and the food we eat and the very life we enjoy, He's provided a way of eternal life! That's grace and mercy! Dayeinu!!!
When we came to Mexico, we had no idea of what blessings (and challenges, too) would lie before us. We didn't know who we would be able to share our lives with or what effect we would even be able to have in this community.
One of our first friends here was Esteban. He and Doug "hit it off" almost immediately. The language barrier seemed no barrier at all as those two worked around the house and around town fixing plumbing, electrical and "other" problems.
God showers us with so many blessings! How often do we stop to think about how undeserving we are? In addition to the air we breathe and the food we eat and the very life we enjoy, He's provided a way of eternal life! That's grace and mercy! Dayeinu!!!
When we came to Mexico, we had no idea of what blessings (and challenges, too) would lie before us. We didn't know who we would be able to share our lives with or what effect we would even be able to have in this community.
One of our first friends here was Esteban. He and Doug "hit it off" almost immediately. The language barrier seemed no barrier at all as those two worked around the house and around town fixing plumbing, electrical and "other" problems.
Beyond that, though, we've been able to share in a Bible study with his wife and her parents. Dayeinu!!!
We are not worthy of the blessings God pours out on our lives. That's part of what makes them so special! As it is written:
What will God bring to us in the coming years? We have no idea, but we do know one thing:Which one of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father, who is in heaven, give good things to those who ask Him? -- Matthew 7:9-11
Dayeinu!
