Study Sukkah folio 38B with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
Text Excerpt
הלכתא גיברתא איכא למשמע ממנהגא דהלילא. הוא אומר: ״הללויה״, והן אומרים: ״הללויה״ — מכאן שמצוה לענות ״הללויה״.
Many significant halakhot can be learned from the custom of hallel based on the manner in which it was recited. In reciting hallel there are allusions to several halakhic matters and customs that the rabbis instituted due to circumstances extant at the time. Although due to increased literacy and familiarity with the hallel liturgy the reasons no longer apply, these customs remain in practice. The prayer leader recites: “Halleluya” (Psalms 113:1), and the congregation recites: Halleluya, in response. From here is the source that there is a mitzva to respond: Halleluya.
הוא אומר: ״הללו עבדי ה׳״, והן אומרין: ״הללויה״ — מכאן שאם היה גדול מקרא אותו, עונה אחריו ״הללויה״. הוא אומר: ״הודו לה׳״, והן אומרים: ״הודו לה׳״ — מכאן שמצוה לענות ראשי פרקים. אתמר נמי, אמר רב חנן בר רבא: מצוה לענות ראשי פרקים.
Likewise, the prayer leader recites: “Give praise, servants of YHWH” (Psalms 113:1), and the congregation recites: Halleluya, in response. From here is the source of the halakha cited in the Mishnah that if an adult male was reciting hallel on his behalf, he answers: Halleluya. He recites: “Thank YHWH, for He is good” (Psalms 118:1), and they respond: “Thank YHWH, for He is good.” From here is the source that there is a mitzva to respond by reciting the beginnings of chapters. It was also stated that Rav Ḥanan bar Rava said: There is a mitzva to respond by reciting the beginnings of chapters.
הוא אומר: ״אנא ה׳ הושיעה נא״, והן אומרים: ״אנא ה׳ הושיעה נא״, מכאן שאם היה קטן מקרא אותו, עונין אחריו מה שהוא אומר.
Rava continued to cite the significant halakhot learned from hallel. The prayer leader recites: “YHWH, please save us” (Psalms 118:25), and the congregation recites: “YHWH, please save us,” in response. From here is the source of the halakha cited in the Mishnah that if a minor was reciting a portion that is not from the beginning of a chapter on one’s behalf, he recites after him precisely what he says.