Hallel (Hebrew: הלל, "Praise") is a prayer, composed of a blessing, Psalms 113-118, which is recited on major and minor festivals. Full-Hallel is recited on the first (two nights in the diaspora) of Pesah, all of Sukkot, Shavuot, Shemini Aseret and Simhat Torah (in the diaspora). Half-Hallel omits the first eleven verses of Psalms 115 and 116. It is recited on the last six days of Pesah and on Rosh Hodesh. While Ashkenazi and Spanish and Portuguese Jews recite a blessing at the beginning and end of Half-Hallel, Sephardi Jews do not, particularly if the blessing they recite at the beginning of Full-Hallel is לגמור את ההלל (to complete the Hallel) instead of לקרוא את ההלל (to read the Hallel) as recited by Ashkenazi Jews and Spanish and Portuguese Jews. Psalms from the Hallel have been set to music many times, notably by Johann Bach and Vivaldi.
