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My friend Alicia Jo Rabins, of Girls in Trouble fame (but more importantly to me, from “played fiddle at my wedding” fame) was interviewed on Tablet about the tradition of the Tikkun Leil Shavuot, staying up all night to study Torah on the first night of Shavuot. She likens the practice to the near ecstacy of a sleepover party – young girls giddy from staying up together way past their bedtimes.
Her interview helped me reframe the Shavuot celebration I am planning. Because their school is closed, and my husband’s public high school is not, I’m swooping the girls off to the Cape for the holiday. I had planned to read Zoe’s “torah” that she will bring home from Gan tomorrow, and make blintzes. But I want this night to be extra special – to really help commemorate the awesomeness of revelation. Although I participated in quite a few all night study sessions before I had children, I actually hadn’t considered intentionally staying up extra late with the girls. But thanks to Alicia, we will be up until at least ten. Will it be mystical? I don’t know. But I’ll let you know.
posted June 6, 2011 at 9:14 pm
Maybe it won’t be all night but I am sure it will be special. I am looking forward to my first ever Tikkun Leil Shavuot. I won’t stay up all night but I hope to make it to at least 10 as well.
posted June 7, 2011 at 2:58 pm
That sounds nice, I do miss New England and trips to the Cape. The summer ice cream stands will be open for your dairy treats too! I hope you keep this blog going.
posted June 12, 2011 at 2:20 pm
Tukkun Leil Shavuout is a late custom- and a stupid one, at that.
Staying up late is not a commandment- but praying Shacharit with kavana is. And being groggy from staying up all night, you can not pray the morning prayer with the requisite alertness and attentiveness.
posted June 12, 2011 at 6:35 pm
I finalized my conversion to Judaism on Shavuot. I stayed up from the
sheer excitement and grandiosity of it all.