Tikkun Chatzot

From Halachipedia

Is it an obligation? Who is obligated?

  1. 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.

The feelings one should feel

  1. One should be pained over the destruction of the Temple. [1]

Relevative Precedence

  1. If one only has time for Tikkun Chatzot and Selichot, one should say Tikkun Chatzot. [2]
  2. If one only has time for Tikkun Chatzot and learning torah, one should say Tikkun Chatzot. [3]

How should it be said?

  1. It is the practice to say Tikkun Chatzot while sitting on the floor near the doorpost witth the mezuzah. One shouldn't sit directly on the ground rather one should sit on a cloth, pillow or small bench. If the floor is tiled one can be lenient to sit directly on the floor. [4]
  2. The Minhag is to place ashes on one's head in the area where the Tefilin Shel Rosh is placed. [5]
  3. Another practice is to not to wear shoes during Tikkun Chatzot. [6]
  4. Some had the practice to say Tikkun Chatzot communally in shul, even though some oppose the practice, it has what to rely on and has it's benefits. [7]

Timing

  1. Ashkenazim hold that it should be said right before Chatzot and then one should learn from Chatzot until morning when one can pray. [8] However, Sephardim hold that it should be said at Chatzot of night or afterwards until Olot HaShachar. [9]
  2. On shouldn't say Tikkun Chatzot after Olot HaShachar. However one can be lenient to say Tikkun Leah after Olot HaShachar. [10]
  3. Women may say Tikkun Chatzot. [11]
  4. During the Ben HaMetzarim, Tikkun Chatzot should be said after Chatzot of the day.

On what days is it said?

What texts should be said?

A free copy of the text can be found at https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.briskodesh.org/PDF/tikkun-chatzos.pdf

References

  1. S"A 1:3 based on the Rosh (Brachot 3b).
  2. Ben Ish Chai (Vayishlach 9), Yalkut Yosef (5764 edition, vol 1, pg 191)
  3. Ben Ish Chai (Vayishlach 9), Yalkut Yosef (5764 edition, vol 1, pg 174)
  4. Yalkut Yosef (5764 edition, vol 1, pg 161)
  5. Yalkut Yosef (5764 edition, vol 1, pg 161)
  6. Yalkut Yosef (5764 edition, vol 1, pg 161)
  7. Sh"t Shevut Yacov writes that the practice of some groups to get together to say TIkkun Chatzot at night in Shul was inappropriate because it displayed arrogance as Tikkun Chatzot is something only a minority of people keep. However, Chida in Birkei Yosef 1:3 and Mishna Brurah 1:9 argue on the Shevut Yacov because it's preferable to pray as a community as it says "BeRov Am Hadrat Melech".
  8. 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.
  9. 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
  10. 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.
  11. 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.