“Tikkun Chatzot” at Noon—the Custom of the Arizal

“Tikkun Chatzot” at Noon—the Custom of the Arizal

The Chief Rabbi of Safed, son of the Rishon LeZion Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu (may his merit protect us)—Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu—reminds us of the customs of the period of Bein HaMetzarim. He writes that the holy Ari (may his merit protect us) instituted the custom of reciting Tikkun Chatzot at noon as well during these days. In the “Sha'ar HaKavanot,” the holy Ari writes: “During the days of ‘the Three Weeks’—from the 17th of Tammuz through the 9th of Av—there is a very righteous custom for every person possessing a [righteous] soul: to sit in mourning and lamentation beginning at noon on each of these days and mourn the destruction of the Temple with true bitterness. It is specifically after midday—because at that time the Divine attribute of Judgment is aroused, and this is the hidden meaning of the verse: ‘The evening shadows have already spread’ (Jeremiah 6:4). This is why the Temple was burned after midday. This custom brings great benefit to a person’s soul.” Everyone knows about the custom of reciting the midnight prayer, “Tikkun Chatzot.” Every night there is a mitzvah to mourn the destruction of the Temple, and especially during the nights of Bein HaMetzarim, when one should increase one’s mourning. Regarding this it is said: “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all who love her! Rejoice with her in joy, all who mourn for her” (Isaiah 66:10). Based on this verse, our Sages, may their memory be a blessing, teach (the Babylonian Talmud, tractate Ta'anit, 30b) that mourning and weeping over Jerusalem are precisely what will ultimately lead to the rebuilding of Jerusalem. “Based on this, [the Sages] said: Whoever mourns for Jerusalem will merit seeing her in her joy; but whoever does not mourn for Jerusalem will not see her in her joy.” If you missed reciting “Tikkun Chatzot” beginning on the 17th of Tammuz, you can—and should—begin together with the midday version from 1 Av through 9 Av (the most stringent days of the period). The “Tikkun Chatzot” prayer is available here: Tikun Chatzot - Tikun Leah and Tikun Rachel (Transliteration)   Prayer from the Siddur of the Rashash from the Holy Zohar, after Tikkun Chatzot Prayer After Tikkun Chatzot from the Holy Zohar   (Based on a lesson by the Chief Rabbi of Safed, Rabbi Shmuel Mordechai)