Hallel: Singing With God

A Feuilleton

How can I give voice to all the praises of Hallel? Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said:

The Book of Psalms was said in ten different forms of praise: “Nituach”, Niggun”, Maskil”, “Mizmor”, “Shir” “Ashrei” “Tehillah” “Tefilah”, Hodaah”, and “Halleluyah”. The greatest of them all is Halleluyah for it incorporates the Divine Name and Praise together in one word. (Pesachim 117a)

The Praise and Thanks of Hallel are empowered by God.

The opening word of the Hallel is how we call on God’s assistance in singing His praises and expressing our joy and gratitude.