Staying Up On Shavuot Night

The Daily Halacha Moment - Staying Up on Shavuot Night 📙 😴

״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן ‎העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)

“Anyone who studies Halachot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the world-to-come” (Megilla 28b, Niddah 73a)

Question:

Why do we stay up on Shavuot night?

Answer:

It is a widespread and cherished custom to remain awake throughout the entire night of Shavuot and dedicate the time to Torah study. This beautiful tradition has deep roots in early Jewish sources. The Zohar teaches that anyone who stays awake on the night of Shavuot and studies the tikkun with joy is inscribed in the Sefer HaZichronot (Book of Remembrances) and is granted seventy heavenly blessings and crowns. [1] This reflects the tremendous spiritual elevation that can be attained through Torah study on this holy night.

The Shaar HaKavanot adds an even more remarkable promise: one who does not sleep even for a moment during the night of Shavuot and dedicates the entire night to Torah learning is assured protection—that no harm will befall them, and they will not die in that year. [2] Such a guarantee demonstrates the incredible power of Torah and the unique spiritual opportunity that the night of Shavuot presents.

To illustrate just how precious Torah study on Shavuot night is in the eyes of Hashem, the Shlah HaKadosh, in his work Sefer Shene Luchot HaBerit (Masechet Shavuot, Perek Ner Mitzvah no. 5 s.v. velehorot), and the Chemdat Yamim (57d) record a profound and mystical event that occurred with Maran HaRav Yosef Karo. While he was still living in Turkey, Rav Yosef Karo gathered with his close colleagues and disciples and together they resolved to spend the night of Shavuot immersed in Torah study. As they were learning mishnayot, an awe-inspiring voice suddenly emerged—an angel began to speak through the very mouth of Maran himself. The angel praised them for their learning, declared that their Torah had accomplished immense spiritual rectification, and expressed the deep delight that their efforts had brought to Hashem. This incredible event was recorded by an eyewitness, Rav Shelomo Alkabetz, the author of the well-known piyut Lecha Dodi.

It is important to note that the minhag (custom) of staying awake the entire night of Shavuot primarily applies to men. However, it is considered praiseworthy for women to participate in Torah learning on Shavuot by attending shiurim (Torah classes), reading Tehillim, or engaging in other forms of spiritual growth. [3] Women who take part in this sacred night’s learning also contribute to the honor of the Torah and the joy it brings to Hashem.

Sources:

[1]. Zohar, Emor, p. 88. See also Pirkei D’Rabi Eliezer, ch. 41 and Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:56, which explain that the reason for this custom is to atone for sleeping late on the morning of mattan Torah. This custom is brought in the Magen Avraham, in the introduction to siman 494, where it says that most scholars have a custom to stay awake and learn throughout the night. See also Birkei Yosef §4, which says that this custom has become widespread throughout most of the Jewish nation. See also Seder HaYom, Seder Chag HaShavuot; Eliyah Rabbah §3; Shulchan Aruch HaRav §3; Mishnah Berurah §1; Kaf HaChaim §6; Moed LeChol Chai 8:15; Lev Chaim, Responsa, 2:180; Chazon Ovadia, Yom Tov, p. 310; and Moadim U’Zemanim 4:315.

[2]. Shaar HaKavanot, Derush Shavuot, 1. See Kaf HaChaim §11.

[3]. Shut Rav Pealim 1:9 in Sod Yesharim.

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