Rosh Chodesh Nisan: Dayenu

Elanna Cahn — April 2, 2014 – 11:23 am | Barack Obama | Civil Rights | Democrats | Domestic Policy | Rosh Chodesh | Women's Issues Comments (0) Add a comment

If there is one song from the Pasover seder every Jew knows, it is the chorus from “Dayenu,” one of the oldest pieces of liturgy in the Haggadah. “Dayenu” means “it would have been enough,” and as an expression of symbolic gratitude, it is a wonderful sentiment. But the fact is that if only the sea had been split for us but Pharaoh’s army had not been stopped in pursuit, it would not have been enough - and we wouldn’t be here singing about it this month.

So I understand the sentiments of Jewish Democrats who look back at the last five years of President Obama’s administration and seem unwilling to sing “Dayenu,” it would have been enough. In the moment, like the liberated Israelites, so much more seems necessary. But I take the perspective of the original author of “Dayenu” who looked back at the whole of the journey and recognized that the success and stability of his time was possible only because of the incremental progress of the past.

The past five and a half years have been replete with accomplishments - not divine interventions, but the result of hard work and partnership with President Obama. Consider just these few:

-The President reformed health care, which eluded all his predecessors.

-The President put the nation on a road to recovery after economic disaster under the previous administration with his stimulus package and financial reforms.

- The President extended civil rights to people of same-sex orientation with his repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and opposition to DOMA.

-The President united the world in practical resistance to Iran’s nuclear aspirations (which has been maintained in spite of conflicts between Russia and the other P5+1 partners).

-The President has let science speak for itself on climate change, bio research, women’s health and environmental protection.

-The President, along with the First Lady, has promoted programs of personal responsibility that have reduced childhood obesity significantly - which will save lives and costs down the road.

-The President has championed equal pay for equal work and a livable minimum wage to benefit the working class from his first day in office.

One of the most admirable traits of the Jewish people is our impatience with injustice and conflict. It keeps our eyes on the prize and insists that we must either move forward or be guilty of falling behind. That is the meaning of “progress,” and that’s what makes our values progressive values. “Dayenu” is a song for looking back, not for evaluating the moment. And I believe strongly that we can address our impatience more effectively from within the Democratic Party than we can from outside of it.

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