A Tale of Two Hallels: Similarities and Differences Creating the Narrative in Book V
Mizmorim 113-118 (Egyptian Hallel) and 135-136 (Great Hallel)
Why are there two Hallel collections and why are they not placed together as one unit? What can we learn from their specific locations before and after Mizmorim 119-134?
The Egyptian Hallel describes the Exodus and anticipated journey to Yerushalayim; the Great Hallel reflects the universal dream of Israel’s life in the Land of Israel amidst the nations of the world. The break between these wonderful Hallels by the praise of the Torah (Mizmor 119) and the Shirei HaMaalot (120-134) precisely emphasizes the progression from particularity of the Jewish nation to its universal messages for other nations. The entire collection of Mizmorim from 113-136 tells the story of the revival of the Jewish people in Zion following their return from the exile.
Additionally, the two Hallel units are an important part of the Pesach Seder. Contextual interpretation will be used to understand the significant messages of the two Hallels and contribute to our Seder experience.
לשאר השיעורים בסדרה (30)
- Introduction - Contextual Interpretation of the Book of Tehillim
- Location, Location, Location
- Preservation of Nature – Human Responsibility
- Creating a Model Society: Torah and the Davidic Kingdom
- Redundancy in the Tanakh?
- Man in God’s Kingdom
- A Student’s Guide to Confront Evil from Within and Without
- Thank You Hashem for My Mission to be Your Servant
- Theory vs. Reality; The Davidic Kingdom from Construction to Destruction
- Universal Recognition of God’s Kingdom on Israel and the World
- It’s Not Enough to Say that You’re Sorry
- The Thread of the Davidic Dynasty
- The King is Dead, Long Live the King!
- Destruction, Exile and Reflection: God’s Justice in the World
- Singing with Asaf: Facing Destruction and Preparing to Build the Future Temple
- Hitting Rock Bottom; the Only Way to Go is Up
- The Rehabilitation of Am Yisrael – Back to the Torah of Moshe!
- God’s Creation Restored: Reflections on Good and Evil, the Righteous and the Wicked, Success and Failure
- Paving the Way to God’s Kingdom over Israel and the Nations
- Surviving the Exile and Returning to Eretz Yisrael
- Thesis (105) - Antithesis (106) – Synthesis (107): Historical Responsibility
- When You Call Out My Name, You Know That Wherever I Am, I’ll Come Running
- God and the Righteous: Two-Way Communication
- The Exodus From Egypt: Relevance for All Time
- 176 Verses?? How to Identify the Narrative of the Longest Mizmor in Tehillim?
- Standing on the Steps of the Holy Temple
- By the Rivers of Babylon: Survival and Resilience
- The Ubiquity of Ashrei
- The Ultimate Hallel: Praising God in Zion by All Peoples and Creation
- Tehillim as a Religious Journey: Where Do We Go From Here?