From a Real Gadol " Should Hallel be Said Over The Destruction Of The Iranian Nuclear Program

DIN: A breath of fresh air, finally! A R"Y who has no political motives! 

 Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Rimon is a Rosh Yeshiva at the Lev Academic Center’s Beis Midrash program, rabbi of the Gush Etzion region, head of the World Mizrachi and founder of the Sulamot program for interactive teaching of Judaism. He was asked whether we should say Hallel over the destruction of the Iranian nuclear program. 

For decades, we have known that the greatest threat to the Jewish people is Iran—a country more than 2,000 kilometers away from Israel, with no territorial dispute with us, but which seeks to destroy the State of Israel solely because we are Jews. This threat recalls the words of Haman in ancient Persia some 2,500 years ago: “to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews.”

Operation “Am KeLavi” is a tremendous miracle. A miracle in the very boldness of the State of Israel to act in the heart of Iran; a miracle in the success of the Air Force, in its operational precision, and in the wisdom of the Mossad over the years. And above all—a miracle in the bombing of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure by the United States—an act that will be remembered for generations as a great deliverance for Israel and for the entire world. All of these are accompanied by great miracles and Divine assistance.

Should we say Hallel?
The Talmud (Pesachim 117a) states that we say Hallel upon every salvation from trouble that befalls the people of Israel. Rabbeinu Tam emphasizes that when it comes to the salvation of Klal Yisrael—the collective Jewish people—Hallel is to be recited. In our case, we are dealing with a threat to the very existence of the State of Israel. The Jewish people dwelling in the Land are considered Klal Yisrael (according to Horayot 3a; Mishpat Kohen 144:14).

Still, I would hold off on reciting Hallel. In Shemot Rabbah (23:7), it is told that when the angels sought to sing during the splitting of the sea—after the sea had parted, but while the Israelites were still within it—God said: “The work of My hands is drowning in the sea, and you wish to sing?” Only after the salvation was complete did the Israelites themselves begin to sing.

And so with us—on one hand, this is a historic moment of deliverance. On the other hand, we are still in the midst of a struggle: soldiers are in life-threatening situations, civilians are under attack, and the hostages are still in captivity. Therefore, Hallel is not yet appropriate. Rather, we must offer thanksgiving in heart and speech, along with prayer. This is a moment for deep gratitude for the revealed good, and prayer for continued salvation.

And what about the blessing “HaTov VeHaMeitiv” ?
The Mishnah (Berachot 54a) and the Shulchan Aruch (OC 222–223) teach that one recites HaTov VeHaMeitiv upon hearing good news for the public. Although some disagree when there is no immediate material benefit (see Rashba, Teshuvot IV:77), many authorities rule that this blessing is recited even for this type of salvation (Shulchan Aruch 223:5, based on Sefer Chassidim)—all the more so when there is also potential future benefit. The bombing of nuclear infrastructure, which saved us from physical, economic, and security-related harm, certainly meets these criteria.

Therefore, it is appropriate to recite, with God’s name:

“Baruch Atah Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam, HaTov VeHaMeitiv.”

It is also fitting to recite psalms and prayers of thanksgiving: Nishmat Kol Chai (without the concluding blessing), or parts of it, as well as Mizmor LeTodah (“A Psalm of Thanksgiving”).

Tachanun should not be omitted, because we are still in a process: the Jewish people are in distress, the hostages have not returned, and the war is ongoing.

Let us pray for the swift return of the hostages, for the safety of the soldiers, healing for the wounded, comfort for the bereaved families, and a complete victory over our enemies.

This is a moment that calls for both—immense gratitude for the miracle of deliverance, and heartfelt prayer for a better future. Israel’s victory over Iran—a massive and brutal regime—is a global Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of God’s name), another step in our redemption, a movement toward the rectification of the world under the sovereignty of the Almighty.