[Avodah] Learning on Shavuos - Two Scenarios

[Yitzchok Levine]

Below are two scenarios for learning on the first day of Shavuous. 
Before anyone jumps on me for suggesting the second scenario, let's 
keep in mind that according to the ArtScroll Shavuous Machzor, 
"Although the custom of remaining awake the entire night of Shavuous 
was first recorded almost two millennia ago, it was observed only by 
small groups of scholars. Widespread acceptance of this custom was 
not realized until about four hundred years ago, when it was 
popularized by the scholars and kabbalists of Tzefas, ..."

Scenario 1  - The Common Practice Today

One waits to Tzeis to daven Maariv (or perhaps 10 minutes or more 
before so that Kiddush is made at home after Tzeis), goes home to eat 
and then returns to shul at midnight. One stays up all night and 
davens Vo'Sikin around 4:45 AM, returns home, goes to sleep, and gets 
up in the early afternoon for a Seuda (Let's say the Seudah begins at 
12:30 PM).

Scenario 2 -  One davens Maariv early (or even at or before Tzeis) 
and goes to sleep after the evening meal. One then gets up at about 
4:30 and davens Vo'Sikin, returns home around 7, makes Kiddush and 
then learns until the Seudah at 12:30.

My experience with Scenario 1 is that most people are too tired to 
really concentrate on learning from midnight until davening. One 
often sees people dozing off, chatting, walking around, 
etc.,  particularly after 3 AM. Scenario 1 allows for 4 and 3/4 of 
learning time.

In Scenario 2 one has 5 hours of learning time, assuming you finish 
eating at 7:30 AM, and one is rested. Hence, one has 5 hours of time 
to learn, there is no socializing ,and one should be able to 
concentrate better than someone who stayed up all night.

Which do you feel is preferable?


Yitzchok Levine 
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