Tehillim 42, or What Descends at Chatzot Layla

Tehillim 42, or What Descends at Chatzot Layla

Tehillim (42:9) - “Yomam yitzaveh A-donai chasdo uvalailah shiro imi, tefillah le-El Chai” - (By day, G-d sends forth His kindness, and at night His song is with me—a prayer to the G-d of my life.) On weekday nights, the Written Torah is not studied, since the Written Torah is connected with the world of Asiyah, in which the ideal fulfillment of the commandments is reflected, in exact accordance with all the laws specified therein. Night is a time of concealment, and one should not engage at that time in spiritual work of an entirely different level and order. Therefore, it is not permitted to read the Torah, the books of the Prophets, or the Writings in the holy tongue; only translations or commentaries on the texts of the Written Torah may be read.  (“Ben Ish Chai,” Pekudei) Rabbeinu Chida—an expert in the esoteric Torah—taught that there is a difference between reading Tehillim and reading other parts of the Written Torah at night. As for reading Tehillim after midnight, it is permitted, and one may rely on his opinion. But at midnight one should rise to study the Oral Torah, for it is said that Torah study at night is placed on a higher level—it helps one absorb the spiritual light of the Torah more deeply. And we learn from Tehillim: “By day, G-d sends forth His kindness, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the G-d of my life.” The Sages explain that at night, at Chatzot Layla, while one is studying, “chut shel chesed” (a thread of kindness) descends, and this special light accompanies a person throughout the following day. One who is able to rise at midnight and does not do so deserves punishment. The Chachamim would go to sleep early and then rise at midnight. Nighttime prayer is the cry of the soul. May it be the will of the Almighty that, through studying at night, we merit leaving the exile.  (“Ahavat Chaim” on Miketz)