HALLEL, a Jewish liturgical term, including "the great Hallel" or Ps. cxxxvi. and "the Egyptian Hallel," Ps. cxiii.-cxviii., possibly so-called because of Ps. cxiv. (Hebrew "praise," cf . Halle luiah "Praise ye Jah," cognate to Arabic root hallala, to sing praises at the new moon or Hildl). According to the Talmud (Arachin Io) Hallel was recited on certain festivals. On the new moon, a minor festival, and on the last six days of passover, on account of the drowning of the Egyptians, the Hallel is cur tailed. The blessing preceding the Hallel varies, in certain rites, when this curtailing occurs. Some of the Hallel is recited antiph onally. At the conclusion of the Hallel a doxology is pro nounced. At the domestic passover service, Hallel is recited, as it was in the Temple days (Pesahim x., 4) . Jesus followed this custom (Mark xiv. 26). On tabernacles the Lulab (palm branch) is waved during Hallel. Originally the Hallel consisted of Ps. cxiii. (school of Shammai) or cxiv. (school of Hillel). The other psalms were probably added about A.D. 160.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.—On the Hallel generally see S. Singer's Authorized Bibliography.—On the Hallel generally see S. Singer's Authorized Daily Prayerbook (1928, pp. 219 sqq.) and I. Abraham's notes in the annotated edition ; I. Elbogen, Der Jud. Gottesdienst (Frankfurt a. M., 1924, s.v. in index) : Jewish Encycl., where also music and references to other settings are given.