Tikkun Leil Shavuot according to the Maggid Meisharim
Tikkun Leil Shavuot according to the Maggid Meisharim and with the Book of Tehillim
The custom of “Tikkun Leil Shavuot” was introduced by two of the greatest kabbalistic rabbis: Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz (author of “Lecha Dodi”) and Rabbi Yosef Karo (author of the “Shulchan Aruch”).
One Shavuot night, Rabbi Yosef Karo and Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz remained awake studying Torah, as taught by the holy Zohar. Suddenly, the Shechinah filled Rabbi Karo and began speaking through his mouth.
Such revelations continued for much of his life, and they were recorded in his book, “Maggid Meisharim.”
That Shavuot night, the Shechinah revealed many secrets and instructions. Among other things, She instructed the pair to move to the Land of Israel. In 1535, they did so and settled in Safed, the center of Jewish mysticism.
In Safed, the pair met the Ramak, who later married Rabbi Alkabetz’s sister. At the age of twenty, the Ramak heard a Heavenly Voice instructing him to seek out Rabbi Alkabetz and study Kabbalah with him. He did so and became one of Safed’s foremost kabbalists. He was later succeeded by the Arizal.
Meanwhile, Rabbi Yosef Karo published the “Shulchan Aruch,” which remains the central code of Jewish law to this day. Interestingly, he wrote nothing about Tikkun Leil Shavuot. He considered it a practice for Jewish mystics rather than for the ordinary Jew. Nevertheless, the custom spread very quickly, first in Safed and then throughout the Land of Israel.
When the Shlah HaKadosh, who was born in Prague, moved to the Land of Israel in 1626, he wrote that all the Jews living in the Holy Land remained awake throughout the night of Shavuot.
The Shlah HaKadosh compiled his own study text for the night of Shavuot. In addition to passages from the 24 books of Tanakh, he added the first and last verses of every tractate of the Mishnah, as well as the first and last verses of the Sefer Yetzirah, a passage from the Zohar concerning the weekly Torah portion, and a recitation of the 613 mitzvot.
In the centuries that followed, the custom spread throughout the Jewish world.
On the night commonly known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot, men are to remain awake throughout the night and study Torah.
The sages of Kabbalah prescribe a schedule of study for men covering the entire night: passages consisting of three verses from the beginning of each chapter and three verses from the end of each chapter of Tanakh, as well as of every tractate of the Mishnah, Talmud, and Zohar, together with verses and teachings encompassing all 613 mitzvot. The collection is divided into 13 sections, and Kaddish is recited after the study of each section.
Women are exempt from this, but every woman should accustom herself to reading Tehillim until she falls asleep.
As a reminder that King David departed this world on 6 Sivan, “Yehi ratzon” should be recited after reading Tehillim.
The five sections of the Torah descend into every home on this day: Bereishit, Shemot, Vayikra, Bamidbar, and Devarim.
Therefore, it is a great segula to read the entire Book of Tehillim—all five of its books, corresponding to the five books of the Chumash. Those who cannot do so should read until they fall asleep.
One who remained awake on the night before Shavuot has all the bad and forbidden things he saw during the year erased, forgiven, and annulled.
One who remains awake throughout the night before Shavuot is promised that he will not die during that year—men through Torah study and women through reading Tehillim.
Why is this night so important?
On this night of the festival of Shavuot—the only such night of the year—all synagogues remain open, since it is customary to stay awake and study Torah.
The period between Pesach and Shavuot is called by the holy Zohar the “honeymoon of Israel and the Torah,” while those who participate in Tikkun Leil Shavuot are called “bnei heichala” (the courtiers of G-d). On the night of Shavuot, the Heavens open and all prayers reach G-d.
The following words are transmitted in the Shulchan Aruch of the Arizal: “Know that one who does not sleep at all on this night and engages in Torah study will be able to sleep peacefully on the other nights, and nothing will happen to him [throughout the entire year].”
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai would always remain awake and study Torah on this night, when the “bride” (the community of Israel) prepares to unite with the “groom” (the Torah). The night of the Shavuot festival is the “night before the chuppah (wedding),” and all those who are in the “bride’s” home are obligated to adorn her and rejoice with her.
How is this done?
By studying the Five Books of Moses, moving from them to the Books of the Prophets, and from there to the Writings; by studying the profound interpretations of the sacred books and the hidden teachings—for all these are adornments of the “bride.” The “bride” and her “maidens” are with us on this night, and it is we who escort her to the chuppah the following day. All who escort her enter the “bridal retinue.” Therefore, the Holy One, blessed be He, blesses them and grants them a share in the “bride’s” adornments. Thus, their lot is exceedingly fortunate, as stated in the holy Zohar.
What Tikkun Leil Shavuot rectifies
1. The Arizal says that one who does not sleep, studying Torah on the night of Shavuot without wasting time, will live out the year.
2. “Pele Yoetz” says that this is “Tikkun Einayim”—the rectification of everything forbidden that one has seen.
3. Rabbi Chaim Palagi says that one who remains awake studying Torah on the night of Shavuot will have a Mazal that does not sleep; he will live out the year and have sons and grandsons who will become Talmidei Chachamim. This is the Tikkun of the Shechinah and the rectification of forbidden sights. (Moed L’Kol Chai)
Stories of Tzadikim
Rabbi Israel of Ruzhin held a tish (festive gathering) on Shavuot, and one of the chassidim sat there feeling troubled that he was not in the Beit Midrash praying Tikkun Leil Shavuot, but was instead sitting at the meal.
Rabbi Israel sensed this feeling through Ruach HaKodesh and said that the first letters of the words in Tehillim (23:5), “Taaroch lefanai shulchan” (“You prepare a table before me”), are the same as those of “Tikkun Leil Shavuot.” The man immediately understood the hint.
(based on material from https://www.yeshiva.org.il)
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Tags: The Power of Tehillim, Tikkunim, "Chatzot Lailah", King David, Tikkun, Tikkun Leil Shavuot with the Book of Tehillim, Tikun Leil Shavuot According to the Maggid Meisharim, with the Book of Tehillim, Jewish Holidays
