Early Rabbinic Hymns

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.