Talmud for Pesachim 235:4
א"ר יהושע בן לוי הני עשרים וששה הודו כנגד מי כנגד כ"ו דורות שברא הקב"ה בעולמו ולא נתן להם תורה וזן אותם בחסדו
until 'the rivers of Babylon.' And why is it called the great Hallel? - Said R'Johanan: Because the Holy One, blessed be He, sits in the heights of the universe and distributes food to all creatures.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The subject matter of Ps. CXXXVI, 25-26. Which is a great thing indeed, and for that He is praised by the reciting of the great Hallel.');"><sup>7</sup></span> R'Joshua B'Levi said: To what do these twenty-six [verses of] 'Give thanks'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ps. CXXXVI contains twenty-six verses, each of which expresses gratitude to God.');"><sup>8</sup></span>
Jerusalem Talmud Pesachim
HALAKHAH: 208Mishnah Taˋaniot 3:14, about a fast in a year of drought which was cut short by rainfall. The text is Halakhah 3:14 in Taˋaniot (ו). There, we have stated: “They went, ate, and drank. In the evening they returned and red the Great Hallel.” What is the Great Hallel? Rebbi Pamakh in the name of Rebbi Ḥaninah; Give thanks to Almighty God209Ps. 136. Babli 118a.. Rebbi Joḥanan said, on condition of who stand in the Eternal’s house210Ps. 135 as introduction to Ps. 136.. Why these two chapters? Because rainfall is included in them. In the opinion of Rebbi Joḥanan it is understandable, for it is written211Ps. 135:7., He brings up vapors from the ends of the earth. How is it for Rebbi Ḥaninah? Because it is written212Ps.136:25., He gives nourishment to all flesh; Truly, His kindness is forever. Rebbi Abba, Rebbi Simon, both are saying, ours213Ps. 113–118.. Rebbi Joshua ben Levi said, ours. Bar Qappara said, ours. Bar Qappara follows his opinion, as it was stated: “during the existence of a third group they never reached I am loving; truly the Eternal listened to my voice, my supplication, since its people were few.” Bar Qappara stated, this is the Great Hallel. A patrician stood before the Ark214To be the reader in a service of thanksgiving for rain relieving a drought.; he said to them, repeat after me what I am saying. This implies that it is not ours215If it were the regular Hallel, the congregation would not repeat the verses but answer every half-verse with “Hallelujah” (cf. Šabbat 16, Note 59).. Rebbi Mana said, it is ours. The miracle was great; therefore he said to them, repeat after me what I am saying216Because of the extraordinary nature of the event, he changed the usual response to repetition of the entire Hallel..
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