Guide
Early Rabbinic Hymns
1st–13th Centuries
Restricted
By Carol Bakhos
The hymn genre rarely appears in early rabbinic prayer. In its stead is a developed and pervasive blessing (berakhah) form. There are, however, a few instances of straightforward hymnic praise that frame the liturgical recitation of psalms, including Birkat ha-shir (the Blessing of Song). The rabbinic Kaddish (Sanctified), a communal prayer recited after study, also functioned as hymnic praise of God.
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
The Mishnah on the Blessing of Song
m. Pesaḥim 10:7
[At the Passover eve meal:] The fourth [cup of wine]—he completes the Hallel [psalms] over it and recites over it the Blessing of Song.
Primary Source
The Talmud on the Blessing of Song
b. Pesaḥim 118a
What is the Blessing of Song? R. Judah said: “All your works shall praise You, Adonai our God [ . . . ]”; while R. Yoḥanan said: “The breath of every living thing [ . . . ].”
Primary Source
Yehalelukha (All Your Works Shall Praise You)
All Your works shall praise You, Adonai our God,
and Your pious ones shall praise, glorify, laud, magnify, recall, exalt, and unify Your name…
Primary Source
Nishmat kol ḥai (The Breath of Every Living Thing)
The breath of every living thing shall praise Your name, Adonai our God,
and the spirit of all flesh shall glorify and exalt Your remembrance…
Primary Source
Reciting Kaddish is Meritorious
b. Sotah 49a
R. Simeon ben Gamaliel says in the name of R. Joshua: From the day that the Temple was destroyed, there is no [day that does not include some form of curse]. […
Primary Source
A Response to Blessing God’s Name
b. Berakhot 3a
Whenever Israel enters synagogues and study houses and responds, “May His great name be blessed,” the Holy One nods His head and says, “Happy is the king to whom such praises are offered in his house…