Hallel — Praise in Its Fullness
Hallel (the praise-psalms, Psalms 113-118) is the joyful expression of gratitude and praise sung on festival days — the Jewish tradition's fullest expression of religious joy and thanksgiving.
Hallel (praise) consists of Psalms 113-118 — recited on Rosh Chodesh (new moon), the three Pilgrimage Festivals, and Chanukah. The name comes from 'hallel' — praise, the root also of 'Hallelujah' (Praise the Lord). Psalm 113 opens: 'Hallelu servants of the Lord, hallelu the name of the Lord. May the name of the Lord be blessed, from now and forever.' Psalm 114 recalls the Exodus. Psalm 115 contrasts the living God with idols. Psalm 116 gives thanks for personal salvation. Psalm 117 (the shortest psalm in the Bible — two verses) calls all nations to praise God. Psalm 118 concludes with the famous verses: 'This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.' The Passover Seder divides Hallel into two parts — the first two psalms before the meal (looking back to the Exodus), the remaining four after the meal (looking forward to future redemption). Singing Hallel with kahal (community) is one of Judaism's most powerful communal religious experiences.
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Hallel comprises Psalms 113–118, the 'Egyptian Hallel,' recited communally on festivals and the New Moon; the Talmud (Pesachim 117a) preserves the tradition of its authorship and the rule distinguishing the full Hallel from the abridged 'half' Hallel sung on lesser days.
Tanakh
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- What Judaism says about gratitude
A set of psalms sung on festival days, the tradition's loudest form of thanks. Gratitude here is communal and musical rather than private.