5786/2025
When we look at Hallel and how we say it, we find a fascinating Halachic detail that opens up a broader topic about what it means when we praise and thank Hashem, especially when it comes to Chanukah.
The Hagaot Maimaniot brings down that the Maharam would say “LiKro Et HaHallel” and not “LiGmor”, because if he missed even one letter, he felt he wouldn’t truly be “Gomer” Hallel. His reading of the Brachah reflects a sensitivity, for if the text was not one hundred percent perfect, then the completion wasn’t total. Despite this, even though this might be a small deficiency in how the Brachah is expressed, he would still be Yotzei the Mitzvah. Missing a letter doesn’t take away the essence of the Kiyum.
When we compare this to other Mitzvot across the calendar we find something intriguing: if a person misses a single letter when reading the Megillah, he is NOT Yotzei his Chiyuv. So why is Hallel different?
The difference lies in the nature of the Mitzvah. Megillah is a Mitzvah of reading the words exactly as they are written in Ketuvim. If you miss a letter, you did not read Megillat Esther as it is written, and the Mitzvah depends on that precise reading.
However, Hallel is not built on a requirement to read Tehillim the way Tehillim appears in Ketuvim. Hallel includes Pesukim that are doubled, repeated, and arranged differently from the regular Perakim in Tehillim. The Takanah of Hallel is not a Takanah of Keriah, rather it is a Mitzvah of Shirah. When someone misses a letter in Hallel, the formal text may not be perfect, but the Kiyum of Shirah is still intact.
This idea helps us understand something else. The Shulchan Aruch writes that Pesukei DeZimrah should not be said in a rush. It should be said “BeNachat”, with a calm, steady pace. Be'er Heteiv adds that a person should pronounce each word like he counts coins, carefully and precisely.
At first glance, it sounds like the Shulchan Aruch and the Be’er Hetev disagree. But the deeper message is that Pesukei DeZimrah deserves to be said with a certain beauty. It should be said “BeNe’ima”, pleasantly, the same way we treat any form of singing to Hashem like Hallel or Shirat HaYam. The Shulchan Aruch is guiding us toward a feeling of serenity and clarity, like we describe in Birchot Kriat Shema: “To sanctify their Creator in a spirit of serenity, with clear speech and pleasantness.”
Mizmor L’Todah stands out even more. It is not enough to say BeNachat or BeNe’ima. The Shulchan Aruch says it must be said “BeNiginah”, with a melody, because this is the only Shirah that will never be cancelled in the future. Its essence is song, so melody is part of its fulfillment.
Now we can bring this all back to Hallel, which is made of two parts: Shevach, praise, and Hoda’ah, thanks. We begin with praise, lifting our voices in calm, clear admiration of Hashem. Only afterwards do we move to “Hodu LaHashem Ki Tov”, where we express our gratitude for what He has done.
The way we say Hallel reflects these two dimensions. The opening words of praise are said BeNachat U’VeNe’ima, much like Pesukei DeZimrah. But when we reach “Hodu LaHashem Ki Tov,” the tone shifts. We sing it, the way we sing Mizmor L’Todah. This was the minhag in the Beit Midrash of the Vilna Gaon, and it became widespread. In the home of Rav Chaim Volozhiner, they would sing from “Hodu” and onward at the Seder with that same spirit.
And this allows us to understand Chanukah as a whole.
Chanukah is the time when Hallel becomes our voice. The miracles of Chanukah are remembered not only through lighting the menorah, but through the Shirot VeTishbachot we say each day. The Yevanim tried to take away our ability to express holiness, to dull our Neshamah’s light. Chanukah restores it. It teaches us to praise Hashem with clarity and calm, and then to shift into gratitude and song. Each day of Chanukah, we conclude Shacharit with a recitation of Mizmor Shir Chanukat HaBayit LeDavid. We announce before Hashem: “You have turned my mourning into dancing, You have loosened my sackcloth and supported me with joy. In order that my soul might SING to You and not be stilled, Hashem, my God, forever will I thank You.”
The candles remind us of Hashem’s hidden hand. Hallel gives us the words to respond. We begin with praise that reflects the quiet light of the menorah, and we move to thanks that reflects the joy of the victory. Just as Hallel is a blend of Shevach and Hoda’ah, Chanukah is a blend of light and joy, clarity and song.
May our Hallel this Chanukah be said BeNachat, BeNe’ima, and BeNeginah, and may it deepen our gratitude for the miracles of the past and the light Hashem continues to shine into our lives.