We can only say Hallel on Rosh Chodesh

HALLEL SHOULD ONLY BE SAID ON ROSH CHODESH

Excerpt of a shiur given by Rav Eliezer Berland in Jerusalem

It’s forbidden to say Hallel, except only on Rosh Chodesh….This is what was said about Yom HaAtzmaut [Israel’s Day of Independence], that it’s not possible to say Hallel on it.

THEY SAID, WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL, IF PEOPLE SAY HALLEL ON YOM HAATZMAUT?

But this isn’t correct. It was determined that Hallel should be recited on every Rosh Chodesh, and this is only minhag, and it’s forbidden to make a blessing, according to the Shulchan Aruch.

The Rav gets to places and sees that they are reciting Hallel, and he’s alarmed by this, and he wants to protest, that they should do it by skipping over things. If they do it by omitting certain parts, then it’s not Hallel mamash.

FOLLOW THE WORDS OF THE SAGES!

But to recite Hallel at times other than those set by the Sages, like on Chol HaMoed Pesach, and also on Pesach, we don’t conclude with Hallel. Because, a few Arabs were drowned in the sea, so we already don’t say Hallel.

It’s assur, for an Arab to be drowned in the sea. Why are you hitting him [i.e. the Arab]? Maybe he’s someone who loves the Jews? You have no right to hit him, only if he brandishes a knife against you, then you can punch him. But just to do it for no reason….?...

WE SHOULDN'T SAY HALLEL AT OTHER TIMES

The Gemara says on Tractate Shabbat page 117 that we need to pray at shkia (halachic sunset) mamash, and that it’s assur (forbidden) to stam add on saying Hallel. A person adds on Hallel, stam, for no good reason, this is assur, to add on saying Hallel, this brings down curses, this brings down insults.

It’s the opposite [of a blessing], if a person says Hallel on Yom HaAtzmaut.

Not all the rabbis agreed to doing this on Yom HaAtzmaut. All of the rabbis need to agree, everyone together. And because not all of the rabbis agreed to this together, it’s not possible to say Hallel, even with skipping.

> The Gemara says that whoever says Hallel every day, he is cursed and insulted.

Translated from Shivivei Or, #85