Bible Dictionaries
Hallel

　　HALLEL (‘praise’).—A technical Hebrew liturgical term, applied in Rabbinical literature to certain Psalms and psalm-pieces of praise, which characteristically have as their keynote the expression Hallelujah (‘Praise ye Jah’). It is more particularly applied to one group of Psalms (113–118) regarded as a liturgical unit (so always in the Synagogue-liturgy).

　　Psalms 113-118 form ‘the Hallel’ [Note: המצדי ănukkâ (Dedication), on the eight days of which it is still chanted in the synagogue.

　　Psalms 118:24 (‘This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it’) points to some day of public thanksgiving; Psalms 118:4-24 suggest the Syrian war, and recovery of and entrance into the Temple. At the same time, the collection embodies other elements. Thus Psalms 118:25-29 seems to be an old song of praise for the Feast of Tabernacles. With this agrees the fact that, according to an old tradition preserved in the Jerusalem Talmud (Sukka iv. 5),* [Note: Peritz (Encyc. Bibl. s.v. ‘Hallel’) connects the liturgical recitation of the Hallel with the Passover-meal (he denies that it was sung in the Temple-service), and thinks that it attained its present compass only ‘during the first half of the second century.’ But this is to ignore the data given above, which connect it primarily with Tabernacles and H [Note: SS Manuscripts.] treat the latter psalm as part of Psalms 114. The reason assigned in one of the smaller Midrâshim is as follows: ‘The Torâ consists of five-fifths; the Psalter of five-fifths; and the Hallel of five-fifths.’

　　2. Jewish liturgical usage.—As already stated, the Hallel, according to tradition, was regularly recited at the Feasts of Tabernacles, Dedication, Pentecost, and Passover (first day and preceding night).‡ [Note: | For these cf. Singer’s Heb.-Eng. Prayer-Book, pp. 219, 224.] Certain parts are also recited with a responsive refrain:

　　(a) The first four verses of Psalms 118 are said by the Reader, the people responding after each: ‘O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.’ (b) The last nine verses of the same Psalm are also repeated, in part alternately, in part together, by Reader and congregation.

　　According to the Mishna (Pes. v. 7), which embodies old and (there is every reason to believe) trustworthy traditions as to the Temple-ritual, the complete Hallel was recited by the Levites during the slaughter of the Paschal lambs in the Temple-courts.¶ [Note: According to the school of Shammai, Psalms 114-118.] sung at the conclusion of the Paschal supper (see above). This is quite possible, in view of the probability that the custom had been established in connexion with the Paschal meal in the time of Christ.

　　In Delitzsch’s Heb. NT the expression is well paraphrased: ‘After they had completed the Hallel’ (את־ההלל). But there are some indications that the usage was subject to variation in the earlier period. Thus, according to one authority, for the ‘completion’ of the Hallel at the Paschal meal Psalms 25 might suffice (. 118). The expression הלל; Hamburger, RE ii. 353 ff.

　　G. H. Box.