Why don't we say Hallel on Rosh Hashanah?
Mike asked:1 For most months, on the first day (Rosh Hodesh) we say the Hallel service between Shacharit and Mussaf. For the first day of Tishrei (Rosh Hashanah), however, we do not say Hallel. Why is it not done?
Monica Cellio said: I once wondered about this and found an answer on the Ohr Somayach website.2 They say that Hallel is said with joy and that our focus on judgement precludes this. They cite Rosh Hashanah 32b:
אמר רבי אבהו אמרו מלאכי השרת לפני הקב"ה רבש"ע מפני מה אין ישראל אומרים שירה לפניך בר"ה וביום הכפורים אמר להם אפשר מלך יושב על כסא דין וספרי חיים וספרי מתים פתוחין לפניו וישראל אומרים שירה:
R. Abahu said: Said the angels before G-d, Lord of the Universe, why does Israel fail to utter song before you during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? He replied, When the King sits on the throne of judgment and the books of life and death are before him, can Israel utter song?"
I checked there for more on this but that's all the g'mara says (there) about Hallel on Rosh Hashana. (This explanation does not mean we should only be focused on judgement; it's still a festive day. See the Ohr Somayach article for more on that.)
- Original question: mi.yodeya.com/q/45794
- ohr.edu/2334
Contributors:
Mike mi.yodeya.com/u/3483
Monica Cellio mi.yodeya.com/u/472