Shavuot's Tikkun

Q: Each year on the festival of Shavuot we have a “tikkun.”  Why do we have a “tikkun” and what is the symbolism of this long night study?

A: Shavuot is the anniversary of the Giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai.  As the Shechinah drew near to the people, Moses and the nation tensely waited around the base of the mountain.  Sinai quaked.  Lightening rippled through the air.  Then God spoke.

Throughout the ages, Jews have stayed awake, like a vigil, all night on this anniversary.  Studying ancient texts, pious individuals would hope to meet the Divine which we are told draws very close each year at this time.  In the hope that we may feel the touch of the holy One we raise our consciousness through study and detailed examination of sacred texts on Shavuot.

The word “tikkun” means repair.  Though devotion, the Jewish nation attempts to repair the breach between heaven and earth and introduce harmony into the world.  Kabbalistic belief has it that our actions have a direct influence on the cosmos.  The “tikkun” is that effort to realize our power to heal this great rift.