Pesach is our festival to thank God for the many miracles in our lives

Each year we sing Dayeinu as part of our Seder, showing our gratitude to God for all the wonders performed to our ancestors as they went free from Egypt. Though the traditional text encompasses over a dozen items for which we give thanks, many modern Haggadot have added even more to that list, mentioning the modern wonders, we can encounter, like the State of Israel.

This, for a good reason, as our list is not complete. We have many things to be thankful for, and we should regularly recount our many blessings – not only during Pesach. Yet, many of us have the feeling that God is somehow absent, and that God has ceased to perform miracles. The feeling, that our prayers for example are falling on deaf ears, is not uncommon, am I right?

In one of my commentary books for Pesach I found the following poem, an anonymous poet has written:

I asked for strength, and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom, and God gave me problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity, and God gave me brawn and brains to work.

I asked for courage, and God gave me dangers to overcome.

I asked for love, and God gave me troubled people to help.

I asked for favors, and God gave me opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted. I received everything I needed.

My prayers were answered.

I like this little poem, because it gives us so much hope and it points in the directions we need to look at, to see the miracles that are surrounding us. Sometimes we are so busy shouting at God, or others, that we oversee the good things they do for us. We simply need to change our perspective, to bear witness to the miracles in the world and in our life, and to recognise that we will never sufficiently be able to thank God for all that has been done for us.

Happy Holidays –  Shabbat Shalom and Chag Pesach Sameach

Rabbi Adrian M Schell