Hallel of pesukei dezimra a selection of six psalms recited as part of pesukei dezimra ('verses of praise') – the introduction the daily morning service. This "Hallel" consists of

Ashrei Ashrei ( he, אַשְׁרֵי) is a prayer that is recited at least three times daily in Jewish prayers, twice during Shacharit (morning service) and once during Mincha (afternoon service). The prayer is composed primarily of Psalm 145 in its ent ...

(most of which is

Psalm 145 Psalm 145 is the 145th psalm of the Book of Psalms, generally known in English by its first verse, in the King James Version, "I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever". In Latin, it is known as "Exaltabo ...

) followed by Psalms 146–150. The term ''Hallel'', without a qualifier, generally refers to Psalms 113-118, which are recited only on

festivals A festival is an event ordinarily celebrated by a community and centering on some characteristic aspect or aspects of that community and its religion or cultures. It is often marked as a local or national holiday, mela, or eid. A festival co ...

; for this reason the Hallel of pesukei dezimra is also known as the ''daily Hallel''. These psalms are recited because they are devoted entirely to the praise of

God In monotheism, monotheistic thought, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator deity, creator, and principal object of Faith#Religious views, faith.Richard Swinburne, Swinburne, R.G. "God" in Ted Honderich, Honderich, Ted. (ed)''The Ox ...

. Originally, this was the only part of pesukei dezimra. Its recitation was considered voluntary for a long time.

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The

Babylonian Talmud The Talmud (; he, , Talmūḏ) is the central text of Rabbinic Judaism and the primary source of Jewish religious law (''halakha'') and Jewish theology. Until the advent of modernity, in nearly all Jewish communities, the Talmud was the cente ...

relates that Rav Yosei said, "Let my portion be with those who recite Hallel every day." The

Gemara The Gemara (also transliterated Gemarah, or in Yiddish Gemo(r)re; from Aramaic , from the Semitic root ג-מ-ר ''gamar'', to finish or complete) is the component of the Talmud comprising rabbinical analysis of and commentary on the Mishnah w ...

then, anonymously, questions this statement quoting the Master as having said, "He who reads Hallel every day is a curser and blasphemer." The Gemara then resolves this by saying that Rav Yosei was referring to the Hallel of Pesukei deZimra, and not the Hallel of Psalms 113–118.

References

Pesukei dezimra Hallel Siddur of Orthodox Judaism Hebrew words and phrases in Jewish prayers and blessings {{Judaism-stub