Study Pesachim folio 118A with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
The Talmud asks: What is the blessing of the song mentioned in the Mishnah? Rav Yehuda said: It is the blessing that begins with: They shall praise You, Lord, our God. And R' Yoḥanan said that one also recites: The breath of all living, a prayer that follows the verses of praise [pesukei dezimra].
The Talmud asks: From where does the great hallel begin and where does it end? R' Yehuda says: From “Give thanks” (Psalms 136:1) until “The rivers of Babylon” (Psalms 137:1). And R' Yoḥanan says: From “A song of ascents” (Psalms 134:1) until “The rivers of Babylon.” Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov said: From “F
The Talmud asks: And why is this section called the great hallel? R' Yoḥanan said: Because this passage states that God sits in the heights of the universe and dispenses food to every creature. The whole world praises God for His kindness through the great hallel, which includes the verse: “Who giv
R' Yehoshua ben Levi said: These 26 mentions of the word hodu, give praise, in this hallel (Psalms 136), to what do they correspond? He explains: They correspond to the 26 generations that God created in His world, and to whom He did not give the Torah. There were 10 generations from Adam to Noah
Rav Ḥisda said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Give thanks to YHWH for He is good” (Psalms 136:1)? It means give thanks to YHWH who exacts one’s debt, the punishment for a person’s sins and wickedness, in accordance with the goodness of each individual. God punishes each person base