Why do we stay up the night of Shavuot studying Torah?
The Zohar* is the original source for the custom of being awake the night of Shavuot to study Torah. According to the Zohar the Torah studied is compared to ornaments which the groom sends to the bride prior to her wedding.
The Zohar also compares studying Torah on Shavuot night to the mother of the bride preparations for her daughter who is going to her chuppah the next day.
Another explanation for the custom of being awake is explained with a Midrash* that states the following:
“When G‑d came to give the Jews the Torah, He found them in a deep slumber, and had to rouse them. This is alluded to in the pasuk ‘Why did I come when no one was there? I called, and there was no answer’ (Isaiah 50:2).
‘Thus,’ the Magen Avraham* says “to compensate for the nation’s slumber on the night before the giving of the Torah, it is customary to remain awake on the first night of Shavuot, studying Torah.”
Schedule of all night lectures - Torah Sudy With all night open Tea Room 11:30 pm - 3:30 am |
Mrs. Chanie Krasnianski - The Book of Ruth Rabbi Ben Tzion Krasnianski - The Three Heroes of Shavuot: Moshe, King David, and The Baal Shem Tov Rabbi Mendel Krasnianski - Revenge: Is this a Torah Value? Rabbi Zeev Naiditch - Ethics of our Fathers |