5786/2026
In Dayeinu, we cover every stage of Yetzi’at Mitzrayim, stating that if Hashem had done any single one, it would have been enough for us. But it sounds very hard to understand. Would it really have been enough to leave Egypt and never get the Torah? This feels like an unfinished process. So this begs the question, what does Dayeinu really mean?
The Abarbanel explains that each stage was its own gift. Although it may not have been the final step, each part had its own independent value. It still was an open miracle when we left Mitzrayim, when we crossed the Yam Suf, at Matan Torah, and in every part of Dayeinu.
This teaches us that we do not thank Hashem for only the end result, but rather for each individual act He helps us with. We often get so caught up in the final goal that we overlook all the kindness that got us there. Pushing against this assumption is the essence of Dayeinu. It teaches us not to live with the mindset of what is missing, but rather what has already been done. Dayeinu does not just tell a story; it shows a way of thinking that teaches that every step is something to recognize, appreciate, and thank Hashem for.
In conclusion, when we say Dayeinu, we are not saying that the early stages were enough to complete the entire journey, but rather saying that each stage was precious in its own right. The Abarbanel teaches that every part was a separate gift and deserved its own gratitude. Even while the story is ongoing, we can still recognize what is already there. That is exactly how the Haggadah wants us to feel: gratitude for not just the final result, but every step along the way.