Hallel

2 definitions found

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  Hallel
       n : (Judaism) a chant of praise (Psalms 113 through 118) used at
           Passover and Shabuoth and Sukkoth and Hanukkah and Rosh
           Hodesh

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:



  Hallel
     praise, the name given to the group of Psalms 113-118, which are
     preeminently psalms of praise. It is called "The Egyptian
     Hallel," because it was chanted in the temple whilst the
     Passover lambs were being slain. It was chanted also on other
     festival occasions, as at Pentecost, the feast of Tabernacles,
     and the feast of Dedication. The Levites, standing before the
     altar, chanted it verse by verse, the people responding by
     repeating the verses or by intoned hallelujahs. It was also
     chanted in private families at the feast of Passover. This was
     probably the hymn which our Saviour and his disciples sung at
     the conclusion of the Passover supper kept by them in the upper
     room at Jerusalem (Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26).
     
       There is also another group called "The Great Hallel,"
     comprehending Psalms 118-136, which was recited on the first
     evening at the Passover supper and on occasions of great joy.