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<font size=3>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, ..."<br><br>
Scenario 1 - The Common Practice Today<br><br>
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).<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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. <br><br>
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.<br><br>
Which do you feel is preferable? <br><br>
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Yitzchok Levine</font></body>
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