Tikkun Leil Shavuot - need a better name
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ShareHow to Raise a Jewish Child, by Anita Diamant (2008)
In many synagogues, Shavuot evening services are followed by a study session called a tikkun. This custom dates back to the sixteenth century, when the mystics who lived in the city of Sefad in Israel (then Palestine) stayed up all night long to study the Bible and the Zohar, a mystical text. The goal of the session is to be spiritually prepared to hear and accept the Ten Utterances at services in the morning.
In many synagogues, Shavuot evening services are followed by a study session called a tikkun. This custom dates back to the sixteenth century, when the mystics who lived in the city of Sefad in Israel (then Palestine) stayed up all night long to study the Bible and the Zohar, a mystical text. The goal of the session is to be spiritually prepared to hear and accept the Ten Utterances at services in the morning.
Obviously, late-night study is a grown-up activity. But when possible, bringing children to a tikkun (with sleeping bags, snacks, and toys gives the them chance to see adults enjoying Jewish text study in an informal setting, and gives them a new way to “own” their own synagogues. You can make a Shavuot tikkun at home by inviting other families [over] to read stories or watch Bible movies on DVD [Ed. Note - if that is how you celebrate Shavuot - DS]. And let children stay up extra late.
A History of the Jewish Experience, by Leo Trepp (2001)
Jewish kabbalists, mystics, hold two vigils during the year, namely, the night of Hoshanah Rabbah and of Shavuot. Hoshanah Rabbah, the last half-holiday of Sukkot, was transformed by the kabbalists from a day of joy to a day of penitence, akin to Yom Kippur; they stayed awake in prayer and penitence during the night. The celebration is still observed --usually with coffee and cake; the Book of Deuteronomy is read, followed by the Book of Psalms and selections from the Zohar.
The kabbalists saw in the revelation at Sinai that took place on Shavuot the sacred marriage between the Shekhinah and Israel. The preceding night served as preparation for the "bride". On the Shavuot vigil the first and last paragraphs of the books of the Tanakh and of the tractates of the Mishnah are read, followed by excerpts from Sefer Yetzirah. The concluding prayer for both vigils condenses the teachings of Lurian Kabbalah.
Jewish kabbalists, mystics, hold two vigils during the year, namely, the night of Hoshanah Rabbah and of Shavuot. Hoshanah Rabbah, the last half-holiday of Sukkot, was transformed by the kabbalists from a day of joy to a day of penitence, akin to Yom Kippur; they stayed awake in prayer and penitence during the night. The celebration is still observed --usually with coffee and cake; the Book of Deuteronomy is read, followed by the Book of Psalms and selections from the Zohar.
The kabbalists saw in the revelation at Sinai that took place on Shavuot the sacred marriage between the Shekhinah and Israel. The preceding night served as preparation for the "bride". On the Shavuot vigil the first and last paragraphs of the books of the Tanakh and of the tractates of the Mishnah are read, followed by excerpts from Sefer Yetzirah. The concluding prayer for both vigils condenses the teachings of Lurian Kabbalah.
