Parshas Bamidbar 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Relevant Halachos for the Yom Tov of Shavuos (1)
Staying Up. Many people maintain an old custom of staying up the whole night of Shavuos learning Torah (some learn the specific topics set up by the Mekubalim known as “Tikkun”). The Magen Avraham (1) writes that the reason is to atone for when the Yidden overslept on the morning when Hashem gave the Torah, until Hashem and Moshe Rabbeinu woke them (2). The Poskim quote from the sages of Kabbalah (3) that learning on Shavuos night creates great spiritual lights in the upper worlds. It also builds up a thirst and love for Torah study so as to intensify one’s acceptance of the Torah the next morning.
Rewards. Various rewards are mentioned (4) for those who stay up the entire night learning. 1. He will live all year without being harmed. 2. He will merit having Talmidei Chachamim among his descendants. 3. He will atone for a sin of כרת - a strict sin that has a punishment of dying prematurely. 4. Atoning for wasting time from Torah study. 5. Denying sleep from one’s eyes atones for sins that may have been done by the eyes. 6. The Gates of Heaven are open to parcel out good parnassah - earning enough money to support one’s family. 7) To accept prayers on “hard” topics that might not be accepted during the rest of the year.
Question: Should a person learn the Tikkun Leil Shavuos (excerpts from each parsha, Tanach, Mishnayos, Gemara, and Zohar on Kabbolas Torah, set up by the Chachmei Kabbalah), which is done in a quick, less intense manner, or should he rather learn Gemara in a deeper manner as he learns the rest of the year?
Answer: There are varying customs. Many Gedolim in different generations (GR’A, R’ S’ Z’ Auerbach zt”l, and others) wanted to accomplish the special Kabbalistic accomplishments and thus said the Tikkun. Others, including many Yeshivos, learn Gemara or Halacha in depth. Some make a compromise to say the Tikkun without the Mishnayos and 613 mitzvos, leaving time to learn in depth also. This is based on what some write that the real basic Tikkun is only the above and the rest was added later as a custom. If one is in doubt and has no specific minhag he should ask his Rov or mentor as in all such type questions.
(1) תצד:א (2) מדרש שיר השירים א:יב (3) זהר פרשת בראשית (4) שו"ת מקדש ישראל ח'