A
DAYENU FOR TODAY
If we had built the temple
and had no wise people to share their vision with us…dayenu
If we had wise people who saw truth
and spoke it to us
and we were not wise
enough to take it to heart…dayenu
If we were wise enough to take it
to heart
And never lifted
a hand to make it happen . . . dayenu
We would probably still be in Egypt!
So
let’s bring Dayenu into the present, tonight. We
have a vision, we take it to heart, and we work hard to make it happen. We
are grateful, and yet what miracles and accomplishments would be
sufficient (Dayenu) in today’s word for us to be truly satisfied?
When all the workers of the world
receive just compensation and respect for their labors, enjoy safe,
healthy, and secure working conditions, and can take pride in their
work . . . Dayenu
When governments end the escalating
production of devastating weapons, secure in the knowledge that they
will not be necessary . . .Dayenu
When technology for the production
and conservation of energy and other natural resources is developed
so that we can maintain responsible and comfortable lifestyles –
and still assure a safe environment for our children . . . Dayenu
When the air, water, fellow creatures
and beautiful world are protected for the benefit and enjoyment of
all, and given priority over development for the sake of profit . . . Dayenu
When all people live freely in their
own countries, practicing their beliefs and cultures without interference
or persecution . . . Dayenu
When all women and men are allowed
to make their own decisions on matters regarding their own bodies
and their personal relationships without discrimination or legal
consequences . . . Dayenu
When people of all ages, sexes,
races, religions, cultures and nations respect and appreciate one
another…Dayenu
When all children grow up in freedom,
without hunger, and with the love and support needed to realize their
full potential . . . Dayenu
When children, women, and men are
free of the threat of violence, abuse, and domination; when personal
power and strength are not used as weapons . . . Dayenu
When all people have access to the
information and care they need for their physical, mental, and spiritual
well-being…Dayenu
When food, shelter and health care
are accepted as human rights, not as commodities, and are available
to all . . . Dayenu
When no elderly person in our society
has to fear hunger, cold, or loneliness . . . Dayenu
When the peoples of the Middle East, and all peoples living in strife, are able
to create paths to just and lasting peace . . . Dayenu
When people everywhere have the
opportunities we have to celebrate our culture and use it as a basis
to work for progressive change in the world . . . Dayenu
If tonight each person could say,
“this year I worked as hard as I could toward my goals for improving
this world, so that one day all people can experience the joy and
freedom I feel sitting with my family and friends at the Seder table”
. . . Dayenu Dayenu
A
DAYENU FOR TODAY
If we had built the temple
and had no wise people to share their vision with us…dayenu
If we had wise people who saw truth
and spoke it to us
and we were not wise
enough to take it to heart…dayenu
If we were wise enough to take it
to heart
And never lifted
a hand to make it happen . . . dayenu
We would probably still be in Egypt!
So
let’s bring Dayenu into the present, tonight. We
have a vision, we take it to heart, and we work hard to make it happen. We
are grateful, and yet what miracles and accomplishments would be
sufficient (Dayenu) in today’s word for us to be truly satisfied?
When all the workers of the world
receive just compensation and respect for their labors, enjoy safe,
healthy, and secure working conditions, and can take pride in their
work . . . Dayenu
When governments end the escalating
production of devastating weapons, secure in the knowledge that they
will not be necessary . . .Dayenu
When technology for the production
and conservation of energy and other natural resources is developed
so that we can maintain responsible and comfortable lifestyles –
and still assure a safe environment for our children . . . Dayenu
When the air, water, fellow creatures
and beautiful world are protected for the benefit and enjoyment of
all, and given priority over development for the sake of profit . . . Dayenu
When all people live freely in their
own countries, practicing their beliefs and cultures without interference
or persecution . . . Dayenu
When all women and men are allowed
to make their own decisions on matters regarding their own bodies
and their personal relationships without discrimination or legal
consequences . . . Dayenu
When people of all ages, sexes,
races, religions, cultures and nations respect and appreciate one
another…Dayenu
When all children grow up in freedom,
without hunger, and with the love and support needed to realize their
full potential . . . Dayenu
When children, women, and men are
free of the threat of violence, abuse, and domination; when personal
power and strength are not used as weapons . . . Dayenu
When all people have access to the
information and care they need for their physical, mental, and spiritual
well-being…Dayenu
When food, shelter and health care
are accepted as human rights, not as commodities, and are available
to all . . . Dayenu
When no elderly person in our society
has to fear hunger, cold, or loneliness . . . Dayenu
When the peoples of the Middle East, and all peoples living in strife, are able
to create paths to just and lasting peace . . . Dayenu
When people everywhere have the
opportunities we have to celebrate our culture and use it as a basis
to work for progressive change in the world . . . Dayenu
If tonight each person could say,
“this year I worked as hard as I could toward my goals for improving
this world, so that one day all people can experience the joy and
freedom I feel sitting with my family and friends at the Seder table”
. . . Dayenu Dayenu
