Chapter 2 · Korban Pesach and its memory

Hallel at the seder - song over the korban and over freedom (95, 116a)

Lesson 12 of 20 20 min

On the seder night we say Hallel in two parts: before the meal and after. Why? The Gemara explains: first part on geulah, second on the korban. We see how Hallel transforms from "song over the korban" to "song over the haggadah" - a structure that has carried unchanged for 2,000 years.

Lesson goals

01Identify the split of Hallel into two halves
02Distinguish "Pesach Hallel" from daily Hallel
03Grasp the relationship of song to meal

The Structure of Hallel on Seder Night: Two Parts, Two Meanings

On Seder night, we recite the complete Hallel, but it is divided into two distinct sections. This division is not accidental; it carries a profound meaning connected to the evolution of the Seder over generations.

פסחים קיז ע"א

תנו רבנן: הלל זה מי אמרו? נביאים שביניהן תקנו להן לישראל שיהו אומרים אותו על כל פרק ופרק ועל כל צרה וצרה שבאין עליהן, וכשנגאלין – אומרים אותו על גאולתן. ומי אמרו? דוד אמרו. אלא מאי תקנו? תקנו שיהו גומרין אותו על גאולתן. וכשם שגמרוהו על גאולתן, כך גומרין אותו על צרותיהן.

Our Rabbis taught: Who recited this Hallel? The prophets among them instituted for Israel that they should recite it over every period and every trouble that comes upon them, and when they are redeemed – they recite it over their redemption. And who recited it? David recited it. So what did they institute? They instituted that they should complete it over their redemption. And just as they completed it over their redemption, so too they complete it over their troubles.

The Gemara in Pesachim (117a) discusses the origin of Hallel and when it is recited. It teaches us that Hallel is a tool of prayer and song intended to accompany the Jewish people both in times of trouble and in times of redemption. On Seder night, Hallel takes on a dual meaning.

1We begin by identifying the division: The first part of Hallel is recited before the Pesach meal.
2The second part of Hallel is recited after the conclusion of the Pesach meal, meaning, after eating the Korech and Afikoman.

Pesach Hallel vs. Daily Hallel: Song of the Korban and Song of Redemption

The Hallel we recite on Seder night is fundamentally different from the Hallel recited on Rosh Chodesh or other festivals. The difference lies not only in its timing but also in its reason and intention.

Insight

The Hallel of Seder night is 'Hallel Shalem' – meaning, all its chapters are recited, in contrast to 'Chatzi Hallel' recited on Rosh Chodesh and Chol HaMoed Pesach, where certain sections are skipped. The completeness of Hallel on this night indicates its immense importance.

The first part of Hallel, recited before the meal, focuses primarily on the song of redemption from the Exodus from Egypt. It accompanies the Haggadah and expresses gratitude for God's miracles and wonders that brought us from slavery to freedom.

The second part of Hallel, recited after the meal, is directly connected to the Korban Pesach. When the Temple stood, this section was recited over the eating of the offering. Today, it is recited as a remembrance of the offering, expressing the anticipation of complete redemption and the rebuilding of the Temple.

The Transition from 'Song of the Korban' to 'Song of the Haggadah'

שירת הקרבןShirat HaKorban

The song that was recited in the time of the Temple over the eating of the Pesach offering.

שירת ההגדהShirat HaHaggadah

The song recited today, accompanying the story of the Exodus from Egypt and the redemption.

The Gemara describes how the Sages reshaped the Seder after the destruction of the Temple. Hallel, which was once intimately connected to the offering and eating of the Pesach sacrifice, underwent a transformation. It became an integral part of the 'Haggadah' – the story of the Exodus from Egypt.

Insight

The division into two halves allows Hallel to serve two purposes: to praise for the historical redemption (Part 1) and to praise for the anticipation of future redemption and the memory of the offering (Part 2). It's a bridge between past and future.

Practical Halacha: The Relationship of Song to the Meal

The connection between song and the meal on Seder night is close and essential. The song is not merely an addition, but an integral part of the educational and spiritual experience of the night.

1The first Hallel is recited before the meal, as part of the Haggadah, intensifying the feeling of joy and gratitude for the Exodus from Egypt.
2The second Hallel is recited after the meal, as 'Hallel over the eating of the Pesach offering,' even in its absence. It completes the meal and expresses its conclusion with uplifted spirit and hope.

Kushya

If the second Hallel is connected to the Korban Pesach, why do we recite it today even without the offering? Doesn't this change its meaning?

Terutz

The Sages instituted reciting the second Hallel as a 'remembrance of the offering,' and as an expression of anticipation for the rebuilding of the Temple and the offering of the sacrifice in the future. Thus, the song continues to be relevant and full of hope.

Vocabulary from the dictionary

Each word links to the full dictionary entry - source, translation, and grammar.

Practice

Mark in your haggadah the dividing line between the two halves of Hallel - and write what changed.

Lesson wrap-up

Hallel is the bridge: between the korban that is gone, and the haggadah we still have.

Check your understanding

Test yourself before marking the lesson complete.

Question 1 of 4

How many parts does Hallel have on Seder night, and when is each part recited?

Previous lessonZeroa, beitzah and the table - memory without the korban (114–116)

Next lessonStructure of the seder - Rashi’s simanim (114a)