The Passover Seder in the Talmud 4

We are continuing our look at the Pesach seder as presented in the Talmud. The next mishnah and discussions in the gemara, concern the recitation of the Hallel in Meseches Pesachim 116-117 (all selections and translation from Sefaria.org The William Davidson digital edition of the Koren Noe Talmud Bavli):

We are familiar with Rabban Gamaliel’s statement regarding the verbal identification of the symbols of Pesach set out on the table before us. The gemara begins a discussion regarding this and the meaning of reciting Hallel at such a time (since it is not during a “service” and is fact split into two parts (before and after the meal). The translation is again from Sefaria.org The William Davidson digital edition of the Koren Noe Talmud Bavli:

The first two parts of the Hallel recited before the meal come from Pslams 113 and 114 (from Sefaria.org The Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures by JPS):

We can see, by looking at Psalms 113 and 114, why they were chosen to follow the statement regarding the praising of Hashem. Psalm 113 begins with praising the name of Hashem and Psalm 114 discusses the power of redemption. The remaining portions of Hallel are recited after the meal. These remaining parts of the seder as presented in the Talmud will be discussed in later blogs.