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May 2010

By Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub, LCSW

Healing Through the Tikkun Leyl Shavu’ot — Seven Suggestions

The below is an excerpt from the National Center for Jewish Healing’s publication, The Outstretched Arm: Shavu’ot and Healing. Published in Spring 2005, copies can be ordered by calling 212.399.2685 ext 216 or by downloading the order form.

Jewish mystical traditions tell us that the skies open during the night of Shavu’ot, reflecting the momentous Revelation at Mt. Sinai. Responding to this, Jews for centuries have used the night of Shavu’ot to receive Torah, by opening their hearts and their minds to its teachings in a study session called a Tikkun (literally, "repair"). To maximize the healing potential of this extraordinary opportunity, here are seven ideas:

• To link the Tikkun to healing, focus on texts that deal with illness and healing drawn from the three major sections of the Jewish Bible.
• From the Five Books of Moses: the story of Miriam’s skin disease, Numbers 12-16.
• From the Prophets: the story of King Hezekiah’s approaching death, II Kings 20:1—11 and/or Isaiah 38:1—22
• From the Writings: Psalm 103:3 and Psalm 147:3

• The material in the Spring 2005 edition of The Outstretched Arm with its themes of how Torah heals and approaches to connecting to Revelation can be useful for this special night of study.

• The Biblical Book of Psalms — ten of which were designated by Reb Nahman of Bratslav in his special Tikkun ("remedy") for healing (16, 43,41,42, 59,77,90, 137, 150) — has always served deep spiritual, emotional, psychological, even mystical purposes for Jews. Studying, chanting, or meditating on them can be a significant source of strength, comfort and/or perspective.

• Utilizing Jewish music and learning/chanting such as the National Center for Jewish Healing’s "18 Songs of Healing from the Book of Psalms" can bolster ones’ personal healing.

• Another "natural" for the tikkun on Shavu’ot is the Book of Ruth. Study the relatively brief text, giving special attention to the healing journeys/roles of Naomi, Ruth, Boaz, Oved and the community of women in Bethlehem.

• Some Jews follow the night-long study session by ritually immersing themselves on the morning of Shavu’ot, recalling the three days of preparations observed by the Israelites in the desert prior to the Revelation at Sinai.

• If ritual immersion if not feasible or advisable, a symbolic ritual hand washing, accompanied by the following kavannah /intention can be a powerful experience.
  "Erhatz b’ni-kayon kappai, va-a-sov’vah et mizba-ha-kha, Adonai!"
  "I wash my hands in purity, and encircle your alter, Adonai!"
    — Psalm 26:6

These "Spirituality Notes" are excerpts from our monthly E-newsletter. Articles are © JBFCS Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs and may be reprinted free of charge as long as this credit line is included.

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