Dayenu

By Rabbi Avi Billet

Issue of April 10, 2009 / 16 Nissan 5769

Everyone knows the song: “Dai dai yay-nu, dai dai yay-nu…”

As much as we get into it, what is the meaning of this poem that suggests that had each stage of the exodus journey taken place without leading to its follow-through, it “would have been enough?”

Most simply, there is an implied phrase which is left out –– “dayeinu l’hodot” –– it would have been enough to cause us to give thanks to G-d.

The first five sentences supply no big ironies. Had G-d taken us out of Egypt –– our intended goal –– and not punished the Egyptians, or their gods, or their firstborns, or given us their money, that would have been just fine. We wanted freedom, we were freed, and we left to worship G-d in the wilderness.

Had G-d split the sea and not guided us through, the sight of the miracle would have been enough for us to give thanks. At the same time, what would have been the point of the sea splitting? Just to wow us and our adversaries who chased us? Clearly the sight of this great miracle did not deter the Egyptians in their zeal to chase after us.

The next intriguing question is on the phrase “Had He brought us to Mt. Sinai and had He not given us the Torah, it would have been enough.” It would have been enough to be grateful for getting to this point. But what would be the point of not receiving the Torah once we’d come this far?

Rabbi Moshe Tendler explained that our premise is wrong when we ask this question. When we say “Had G-d brought us to Mt. Sinai” we are saying, as the image of Sinai implies, “Had G-d brought us to Sinai, which means He gave us the Torah” and then “had He not given US the Torah, it would have been enough.” The focus is on the word “us” –– that G-d gave humans the capacity to study the Torah to its greater depths before rendering judgments and applying interpretations.

Had G-d left the teaching of Torah to Himself and the angels, it would have been good enough. But He engendered within us the ability to take our Torah learning to the next level, which makes it ever so much more of an extraordinary experience and endeavor.

Perhaps we can suggest that a similar sentiment is in play with the arrival at the sea. Splitting the sea suggests G-d invoked all of His wonders to bring about the final departure from Egypt. Did the freed slaves actually need to cross through the walls of water to achieve complete emancipation from Egypt? Who knows?

Many suggest the whole point of having the Egyptians chase the Israelites into the sea was to close one chapter, break the emotional bonds of slavery and the slave mentality, and allow the Israelites to move on. Was it necessary for the Egyptians to die?

“Had G-d split the sea for us” implies we were going through. If not, then it would just say “Had G-d split the sea.” As we reread the sentence now, it means “Had G-d split the sea for us –– and of course we walked through –– but had He not led us through on dry land,” in other words, we did not need an extra miracle. It would have sufficed for the water to be muddy.

We can certainly learn from this song the merits of being thankful for everything we have. But there is an added component to gratitude, and it comes with an appreciation for what it is we’ve actually received and how we may sometimes lose sight of the greater picture, even when the good things we have are right in front of our eyes.

The last eight months have been a whirlwind for many people. Between the stock market and Ponzi schemes, to an overall bad economy, many people are feeling the pinch and wondering what there is to be grateful for now. The people in our lives, our families and friends, are the greatest gifts we could hope for. Every minute we have and share with them is fleeting and is enough to be thankful for.

“Had You given us the ability to have positive relationships with all these wonderful people and had You given us absolutely nothing else –– Dayenu.” It would have been enough –– enough to be thankful.

Thank you, G-d.

Avi Billet wishes everyone a chag kasher v’sameach. He welcomes your comments and thoughts at avbillet [at] gmail.com.