Mar 18, 2026
R. David Ebner on “Daiyenu”
David Ebner on “Daiyenu”
WebYeshiva and students of Yeshivat Hamivtar have been mourning our great teacher Rav David Ebner z”l this year.
In advance of Pesach we bring you one of his poems and its accompanying annotations in the hope it will help focus the mind as we sing “Daiyeinu!” around the Seder table.
Many thanks to Mrs. Shulmith Teitz Ebner for her encouragement and permission to make this available.
David Ebner, Dance Words: Poems (2018), 37–39
Daiyeinu
This too is a blessing,
this knowing
that enough is enough;
that God not be lost
in blessing,
as waters hide the spring,
as music drowns the silence.
That we might find the words,
that our lips would wither
with petitions,
of dai, daiyeinu,
with prayers,
of du, du, du,
You.
It is enough.
Only You.
It is enough.
Notes:
3) The Maggid of Ziditchov was extremely poor. He was once asked by one of his disciples how he could recite the morning blessing in praise of God “Who has granted me all that I need.” The Maggid was amazed at the question and responded: “But surely since this is what God has given me—it must be exactly what I need”
הָבִיאוּ אֶת כׇּל הַמַּעֲשֵׂר אֶל בֵּית הָאוֹצָר וִיהִי טֶרֶף בְּבֵיתִי וּבְחָנוּנִי נָא בָּזֹאת אָמַר יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת אִם לֹא אֶפְתַּח לָכֶם אֵת אֲרֻבּוֹת הַשָּׁמַיִם וַהֲרִיקֹתִי לָכֶם בְּרָכָה עַד בְּלִי דָי. (מלאכי ג, י) מאי "עד בלי די"? אמר רמי בר רב עד שיבלו שפתותיכם מלומר די. (תלמוד בבלי, מכות כג ע"ב)
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be provision in my house, and prove me but herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing, until it be more than enough. (Malachi 3:10)
What is the meaning of “until it be more than enough?” Rami b. Rav said: Until your lips wither from saying:
Dai
Enough
(Talmud Bavli, Makkot 23b)
2) A Dudele (A song composed by R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. Du is the familiar form of address in Yiddish which is not used when addressing God but in this case is employed and carries the sense of intimacy and closeness that was the mark of R. Levi Yitzchak’s relationship with God!)
Riboyno shel oylom,
Ich vil dir a dudele shpilen:
Riboyno shel oylom
Ich vil dir a dudele zingen:
Onoh emtzoekho, Riboyno shel oylom?
Vonoh lo emizoekho, Riboyno shel oylom?
Avu kon ich dir gefinen, Riboyno shel oylom?
Un avu zol ich dir nit gefinen, Riboyno shel oylom?
Az mailoh du, matoh du
mizroch du, mayrov du,
dorem du, zofen du,
Du du, du du, DU!! du
du du, du du, du, du du du, du du du...
Master of the Universe!
I will sing a song to You
Where shall I seek You, Master of the Universe?
And where shall I not seek You, Master of the Universe?
Where can I find You, Master of the Universe?
And where can I not find You, Master of the Universe?
You, above; You, below;
East, You; West, You;
South, You; North, You.
You, You, You...
Only You...