If they had not stormed our borders, And brought terror and bloodshed to our doorsteps — Dayenu.

If we had only been prepared, Not abandoned by our leaders — Dayenu.

If they had not come for the dancers at dawn, and raped and murdered and kidnapped our people — Dayenu.

If we had stopped them at the fence, Before the fire, before the screams — Dayenu.

If they had not taken our families and loved ones and our children — Dayenu.

If every hostage had returned, Into the arms that never stopped aching — Dayenu.

If we had defeated not only Hamas and Hezbollah, But those who arm them and fund them — Dayenu.

If the world had cried “ceasefire,” And also cried “Let them go now” — Dayenu.

If they had stood against antisemitism, Not ignored or justified it — Dayenu.

If our children could travel abroad Without having to conceal their identity — Dayenu.

If those who call themselves allies Had stood with us in truth, in courage — Dayenu.

If our leaders had led with wisdom, If they guarded our borders AND our democracy — Dayenu.

If we had stood against terror, And also against extremism within — Dayenu.

If we had buried our dead, But not our conscience— Dayenu.

If we had mourned all children — ours and theirs — Dayenu.

If the sky were only sky again and not an existential battlefield — Dayenu.

If the sirens  had stopped, and there was only birdsong — Dayenu.

If we had not had to justify our survival, Again and again, in every generation — Dayenu.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)