Hallelujah is an remarkable word. In the Bible, it
appears only in the book of Psalms; yet this exuberant exclamation of joy
and gratitude has overcome the passage of centuries, transcending the
barriers of language and culture. What exactly does it mean?
According to the Talmud, Hallelujah is the most sublime expression of
God's praise, combining together in one word both praise ('hallel') and
God's Name (the two-letter Name 'Ya-H'). Hallelujah does not appear
throughout the book of Tehillim, however; only in the last third of the
book, starting with chapter 104.
What is special about this particular verse, that it contains the very
first usage of the word Hallelujah? The Sages noted that the theme of this
verse is the destruction of evil. King David, they explained, only began
employing this declaration of God's praise after he witnessed the downfall
of the wicked.
Thus the Name 'Ya-H' refers to the state in which the world is not yet
perfected. As long as there is room for evil and violence in the world,
God's rule is incomplete. God's full Name belongs to the era in which the
corrupted spirit will be destroyed, evil will dissipate like smoke, and
all will acknowledge and praise God with His complete Name.
The most elevated praise, combining God's praise with His full Name,
belongs to a future time. But the praise of Hallelujah reflects a sublime
form of praise suitable for our days.
If we can raise our sights and understand the purpose of evil, if we
can grasp that a world in which evil existed and was subsequently overcome
is greater than one in which evil never played a part, then we can
honestly combine God's praise with the Name 'Ya-H'. This combination
indicates that we recognize the value of a world in which corruption is
allowed to exist. Hallelujah is an expression of this lofty outlook,
acknowledging God's praise in an incomplete world.
King David succeeded in reaching this level when he witnessed the fall
of the wicked. "Let sin be finished and evil be no more." He
understood the function of the wicked and their downfall, and at that
point was able to call out: Hallelujah!
[Ayn Aya I:47-8 on Berchot 9]
"Let sin be finished from the earth,
and evil be no more. My soul will bless God,
Hallelujah!" [Ps. 104:35]
We need first to determine the inner meaning of the Name
'Ya-H'. This Name for God appears in the Torah after Amalek's unprovoked
attack on the Jews, as they left Egypt. God took an oath, as it were,
"upon the throne of Ya-H, a war against Amalek throughout the
generations." [Ex 17:16] The Sages explained
that as long as evil exists in the world - as long as Amalek has not been
destroyed - God's Name is incomplete, containing only two letters.
The Inner Meaning of "Hallelujah"
