Hallel
9.9
A Jewish song of praise using Psalms 113 to 118 sung on festivals like Passover
- noun
- /hɑːˈlɛl/
- Formal
- Goldberg describes prayer with words that allude to the Amidah, Sh'ma, Hallel, and b'rakhot.
Examples
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Every year, we gather to recite the Hallel during the Passover Seder.
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During Hanukkah, the congregation sings the Hallel to celebrate their freedom.
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On Rosh Chodesh, Jewish families often include the Hallel in their morning prayers.
Synonyms
A hymn or song of praise from the Bible used in Christian worship
is a fixed Jewish festival chant of six psalms recited on specific holy days
Surface Forms
Etymology
Hallel comes from the Hebrew root halal, which means 'to praise', and it is the same root found in the familiar word hallelujah ('praise the Lord'). So Hallel is the name for the set of psalms people sing at festivals to give praise.