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By Jonathan L. Friedmann In Talmud Shabbat 118b, Rabbi Yose
proclaims: "May my portion be with those who complete the Hallel
every day!" On its surface, this comment seems absurd. Hallel is
a prayer that consists of special praise and is reserved for the
festival liturgy; it is far too exalted for the services of
ordinary days. As such, Rambam and others qualified Rabbi Yose's
statement, explaining that the weekday "Hallel" refers to Psalms
145-150, the concluding chapters of the Book of Psalms. Over
time, these psalms became the core of Pesukei d'zimrathe morning
proclamation exalting the majesty of G-d and the miracle of His
Creation. These psalms attempt admirably to capture in words the
incomprehensible vastness of G-d's glory. As such, Rabbi Yose
held these psalms in the highest regard, and considered one who
"completes Hallel"by reciting Pesukei d'zimraworthy of great
reward. As a unit, Psalms 145-150 contains a dual focus: it
expresses ma