Tikkun Chatzot: Difference between revisions

# In order to feel pain over the destruction of the Bet HaMikdash, every night slightly before Chatzot, one should say Tikkun Chatzot. <Ref>S”A 1:3 writes that it is proper for a God fearing person to be pained and agonize over the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash. Mishna Brurah 1:9 writes that the Mekubalim emphasized the great importance of waking up at chatzot to say a certain seder of tefillot organized by the Arizal, printed in the siddurim. </ref> However, the minhag is not to say Tikkun Chatzot and some achronim justify the minhag, nonetheless, it’s praiseworthy to say it from time to time. <Ref>Piskei Teshuvot 1:10. Yavetz in Mor UKesiah (Siman 1) writes that the obligation only applies to Torah scholars and in Israel. The Chida in Machzik Bracha 1:3 argues that it applies to all people in all places. </ref>

# Ashkenazim hold that it should be said right before Chatzot (midnight) and then one should learn from Chatzot until morning when one can pray. <ref> Mikdash Melech on Zohar (Vayahakel 195c) writes the Tikkun Chatzot can be said from the second section of the night which is 2 hours (Shaot Zmaniot) before Chatzot. Shulchan Aruch HaRav rules like that. Similarly, Yeshuot Yacov 1 writes that Chatzot should be said a little before Chatzot. So rule the Malbim in Arsot HaChaim 1:31 and Mishna Brurah 1:9. </ref> However, Sephardim hold that it should be said at Chatzot of night or afterwards until [[Olot HaShachar]]. <ref> Sh"t Yachave Daat 1:46 pg 135 based on the Zohar (Chaye Sara pg 132b) and Arizal (Shaar Kavanot pg 52d) that one should not say Tikkun Chatzot before Chatzot. So rules Aruch HaShulchan 1:21, Birkei Yosef 1:6, Ben Ish Chai (Vishlach 4), Yalkut Yosef (5764 edition, vol 1, pg 165), and Halacha Brurah 1:5 </ref>

# One shouldn't say Tikkun Chatzot after [[Olot HaShachar]]. However one can be lenient to say Tikkun Leah after [[Olot HaShachar]]. <ref> Igret Rramaz 11 writes that one should say it before [[Olot HaShachar]] and in a Shat HaDachak one can say it after Olot. This is brought down by the Shaarei Teshuva 1:6. However, Sh"t Lev Chaim writes that one can say it until the time to put on Talit and Tefilin. Ben Ish Chai Vayishlach 8 argues on this based on the language of the Arizal that one shouldn't say it after Olot. Nonetheless, Zichronot Eliyahu 400:17 and Nemukei Orach Chaim (quoted in Maasef LeKol HaMachanot 1:29) say that one can lenient regarding Tikkun Leah. So rules Rav Ovadyah in Halichot Olam 1 pg 49, and Halacha Brurah 1:6. </ref>

# Women may say Tikkun Chatzot. <ref> Sh"t Rav Poalim 1:9 (Sod Yesharim), Ben Ish Chai Vayishlach 6 write that women shouldn't say Tikkun Chatzot. However, Kaf HaChaim 1:15, Halichot Olam 1 pg 48, and Halacha Brurah 7 write that women are allowed to say Tikkun Chatzot. Yalkut Yosef (vol 1, pg 173) rules like the Kaf HaChaim but writes that the minhag is that women don't say Tikkun Chatzot. </ref>