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During Pesukei D'zimra, we say a series of chapters from Tehillim. When we recite chapter 150, the final pasuk (kol haneshama...) is said twice. The ArtScroll Machzor (unlike the everyday ArtScroll siddur, which is silent on the subject) says,

"Having now concluded the six psalms that are the main part of Pesukei D'zimrah, we repeat the last verse to signify that this section has come to an end (Avudraham)."

Is there any other time in davening where a "section comes to an end" so we double up a pasuk to signify that?

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  • +1 I was going to cite Art Scroll, but u did. I agree, that this seems to warrant a better answer. I'll research Beurei Hatefilah tomorrow. It may have something on this.
    – DanF
    Sep 16, 2015 at 0:57
  • Hashem Yimloch at the end of the Shira.
    – Double AA
    Sep 16, 2015 at 1:45
  • @DoubleAA, sounds like an answer, if you can cite that we double it to mark the end.
    – msh210
    Sep 16, 2015 at 2:29
  • It should be noted that Siddur Kawanat HaLev states that we repeat the pasuq "so that others will not be able to say about Israel that they hurry to finish". This is stated in the name of HaRaD"A.
    – Lee
    Sep 16, 2015 at 5:40
  • @DoubleAA How does that complete anything? While we also say the Targum there, the next line is the next verse (15:19). After Tehillim 150 we move into 3 assorted verses from other Psalms and then Divrei Hayamim.
    – rosends
    Sep 16, 2015 at 10:40

1 Answer 1

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As I often find, Beurei Hatefillah has an answer: Citing Machzor Vitri ch. 1:

This is the reason that we repeat the last line of Tehillim: Kol Hanishama T’Hallel Yah Halleluya. It is based on what we learned in Tractate Shabbos that we should be among those who complete Hallel each day. This means that we should read the last chapters of Tehillim each day which are the chapters that all begin with the word Halleluya. If we did not repeat the last sentence of the last chapter of Tehillim, we would not appear to have completed the last chapter. We would make it appear that there were additional verses that follow. However, now that we read the last verse twice, we demonstrate that it is the last verse and we have completed the last chapter of Tehillim.

The English translation is at the end of the article on pp. 31-32. I recommend that you read most of the article from the beginning, as it discusses a debate on which Tehillim comprise Psukei Dezimra in the first place. Understanding that debate will provide some context on why this is considered "the end" and will provide further context on Art Scroll's comment, as well. (IMO, Art Scroll's comment could use a bit of "improvement", esp. considering that they are not exactly lacking in "space".)

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  • My concern with this is the same as with the comment made by Gershon Gold -- "we would not appear to have completed the last chapter". I don't understand that.
    – rosends
    Sep 16, 2015 at 20:01
  • is the repetition to indicate we are completing sefer Tehillim, or a section of davening (the "main part of Pesukei D'zimra")?
    – rosends
    Sep 16, 2015 at 20:08
  • @Danno If you read the article, it seems that the importance is to indicate the end of Tehillim. See the article as to the debate as to whether that is also considered the end of Psukei Dezimra. I think that's a secondary point, here.
    – DanF
    Sep 16, 2015 at 20:20
  • According to the article is the issue the completing of a hallel which coincidentally is made of those 6 chapters, or of completing sefer tehillim wherever it is found? If I read 150 as part of something else, and finish it, I am "finishing" sefer tehillim also. Do I double the last line? The haftorah for Yom Kippur mincha is an entire book. Do we double the last line? (bad example -- extra verses added from Micha, but the general question is the same)
    – rosends
    Sep 16, 2015 at 20:37
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    @Danno Interesting question. I'm inclined to say that it's a bit of both, and moreso, b/c there's an apparent mitzvah to complete "Hallel" each day as part of Psukei D'zimrah. It may be more "coincidental" that we follow the opinion that "Hallel" means "Haleluyah" i.e. the last chapters of Tehillim. Related to some of your other comments, I'm not sure what occurs in Hallel Hamitzri as to why we double up, and "Orech Yamim". There must be different reasons for those. I'll see if I discover anything on that.
    – DanF
    Sep 16, 2015 at 21:34

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