Sunday, June 04, 2006

Studying Mishna at the Tikun Leil Shavuos

There are a variety of minhagim regarding the study of Mishna at the Tikun Leil Shavuos. The parsha sheet published by the Belzer chasidim listed 10 sources on the subject last week. The following are some of them:

  1. ...after that begin with the 6 sedarim of the Mishna, from each mesechta learn the first and last mishna.... (Shelah haKadosh, Sahvuos, Ner Mitzvah 4)
  2. ...I have seen medakdekim stand all night studying tanach to "make the tent of the Torah one (original: le'chaber es ha'ohel echad)" and studying Torah she'be'al beh most of the night. In my opinion, study seder nashim, and if possible say it by heart; otherwise, read it. Seder Nashim has 7 mesechtos and 71 chapters, appropriate subject matter for a kallah.... (Seder haYom, Chag Shavuos)
  3. One must study Torah she'bi'chsav, and not Mishna, since Mishna is the handmaiden to the matron. Since this night is a tikun for the matron there is no place for the handmaiden in place of the matron. (Tur Barekes, Kabbalist R. Chaim haCohen of Aleppo, Orach Chaim, 494)
  4. ...It is incorrect to learn Mishna on leil Shavuos regardless, because mishna is the handmaiden of the matron, Torah. Let him study the razei, mysteries, of the Torah. If he is not at that level, then study midrash, but not mishna. This is how the minhag spread in Jerusalem, Hevron and most likely in Tzfat, to not study mishna. (Chida in the name of R. Chaim haCohen of Aleppo and student of the R. Chaim Vital, Lev David, ch. 31 and notes)

The Mishmeres Shalom (39:2) does not believe this is an accurate quote from the Tur Barekes since it is inconsistent with the importance of Torah she'be'al peh and the opinion of the Seder HaYom.

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