Prayer and Blessings
When do we recite the complete Hallel and when do we recite the half Hallel?
Question
Hello Rabbi!
I am half Egyptian and half Iraqi, meaning Eastern or Sephardic heritage if that makes a difference. I would like to know when we recite complete Hallel and when we recite half Hallel, what does half Hallel include, and whether Hallel is recited only in the Shacharit prayer.
I would appreciate receiving an email notification regarding the answer or the answer via email.
Thank you very much!
Answer
Shalom,
1. On Rosh Chodesh, we recite half Hallel, and Sephardim do not recite a blessing on this Hallel (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 422:2). Half Hallel means that we skip "Not to us, Hashem" ("לא לנו ה") and "I love that Hashem hears". ("אהבתי כי ישמע ה").
On the first day of Passover, we complete Hallel (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 485:1), with a blessing. During the intermediate days of Passover and the last two days of Passover, we recite Hallel with the same skipping as on Rosh Chodesh (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 487:4), and according to the custom of Sephardim, without a blessing and the same as for Rosh Chodesh.
On Shavuot, we complete Hallel (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 494:1), with a blessing.
During Sukkot and Simchat Torah, we complete Hallel (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 668:1), with a blessing.
All eight days of Chanukah, we complete Hallel (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 671:1), with a blessing.
2. Women are not obligated to recite Hallel except on the night of the Seder (Biur Halacha, Orach Chaim 682:1).
However, if they wish to recite Hallel at other times, they have permission, and according to the custom of Ashkenazi women, it is permitted even with a blessing (see Biur Halacha, Orach Chaim 422:2). According to the custom of Sephardic women, it is permitted only without a blessing (see Responsa Yabia Omer, part 6, Orach Chaim 48).
3. Hallel is recited after the Shacharit prayer. And if one has not recited it, they can still do so until sunset (Masechet Megillah 20b, Biur Halacha, Orach Chaim 422:2, and Hazon Ovadia, Chanukah, page 226).
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
