Tefillah Tips - Hallelu-yah, Hallelu Ovday Hashem

During the entire Yom Tov of Sukkot, we have the mitzvah to recite the full Hallel. The word Hallel means praise. The Hallel section is comprised of psalms 113-118 that declares and celebrates allegiance, trust, and thanks to Hashem.

The opening words that we say after the initial blessing is "Hallelu-yah, Hallelu Ovday Hashem" - which means "Praise G-d, you who are the servants of Hashem."

The commentary, Maaseh Nisim explains that the name of G-d Y-ah is specifically utilized in this verse because it refers to G-d as a strict Judge. The implication here is that although there are strict and harsh moments that we have been subjected to we are confident that they too are for the best even though we may not realize it right now. We trust that the same G-d that took us out of Egypt and away from the vicious slave drivers over 3300 years ago will redeem us once again from the ferocious evildoers in our time.

Later in this same paragraph the King David writes, "Ram Al Kol Goyim, Mi Kashem Elokaynu" - which means A) that G-d is elevated above all the nations of the world, B) Who is like you G-d who sits in the heavens above but you lower yourself to see the heavens and the earth.

The Divrei Yisrael remarks that these two verses represent two distinct attitudes of people regarding G-d. Many people accept the existence of G-d but they feel He has little or nothing to do with ones personal day-to-day life, as we know it. This is implied in the first verse "Ram Al Kol Goyim Hashem- G-d is elevated beyond all nations". There is another view of our Creator-namely that He is involved in our daily lives offering guidance, providence, and assistance. This is implied by the verse, "Hamashpili Lirot Bashamayim Uvaaretz - He lowers himself towards the heavens and the earth."

It seems to me, that when one builds the spiritual strength to believe the latter and acknowledge G-d from day to day and minute to minute, it then becomes possible to say the first verse we mentioned earlier, "Hallelu-yah Hallelu Ovday Hashem."

As the Yom Tov of Sukkot approaches, and we will B'ezrat Hashem peacefully dwell in the sanctity of our Sukkot, it is a perfect opportunity to focus and internalize these lessons from Hallel. r