Shavuot Hallel: First Paragraph

“Blessed be the name of God, from this time forth and for ever more.” (Psalms 113:2) In this world they praise Him, and then they provoke Him. But not so in the World to Come, for then they will praise Him, ‘from this time forth and for ever more.’ Therefore I say to you that you will also endure for ever, for the Holy One, Blessed is He, says, “You praise Me from this time forth and for ever more, so shall I bless you, as the verse says, “God is round about His people, from this time forth and for ever.” (Psalms 125:2) – Midrash Tehillim 113:4

The one time we experienced eternity while on this world was at the Revelation at Sinai. We can reconnect to that time on Shavuot, allowing our praises, especially the Hallel we sing, to have the quality of for ever forth and more. God’s response will be, “So shall I bless you.”

Reflect on the moments when you were studying Torah that you experienced something eternal, an insight, an inspiration, or a moment of great clarity. Keep those moments in mind when singing this, first paragraph of Hallel, with the intention that your Praises should be granted the quality of eternity.

Have in mind that you are also praying that your Torah study over the coming year should be blessed with that same quality of eternality.