Tikkun and Notein haTorah!
When speaking of Tikkun Leil Shavuot, we may often understand that term as having some connection with Tikkun Olam, repairing of the world. In a sense, there is some repair or rectification based on some fascinating midrashim regarding Matan Torah. More importantly is the association with the tradition of study and learning. We also make use of that term when referring to the book used for the preparation Torah reading. That Tikkun l’Kor’im is the parallel columns of Torah script, one as in the Sefer Torah itself, and one with the vocalizations and trope for study purposes.
Our experience for study extending late into the night of Shavuot is our commitment to give relevance and literal meaning to the final words of the blessings uttered before and after passages are chanted from the Torah – Notein haTorah. This is in the present tense. We bless God for continually offering us the Torah, although the beginning section of each of those blessings are in the past tense – God has chosen us from all the other nations, and God has given us the Torah of truth.
We regularly speak of the need to find ways to engage with our scriptural heritage. Part of that is attempting to imagine that seminal Jewish event and the awe-inspiring grandeur of the Revelation at Sinai. The dramatic description of fire, smoke, thunder and the voice of God should leave us feeling amazed and humbled.
Yet our efforts to imagine ourselves as having been there can only have a measure of success if we see that giving and receiving of Torah as something that continues to occur. That might be possible when we strive to receive and appreciate those texts anew. This might be achieved by reading or chanting the actual text from the Torah and understanding them in our own time and context. It can also be interacting with any of the plethora of texts accumulated over the centuries, such as in the daily minyan. While the text of the siddur is mostly rabbinical, much is based on passages from the Tanach. Reading them as a participant in the minyan and, more courageously, taking on the task of leading any part of the service, is that present tense, Notein haTorah, in effect. Daring to utter some of those daunting passages, at least in terms of pronunciation, is a wonderfully empowering encounter with the written word in the presence of community.
Finally, returning to the theme of Tikkun in terms of correction or rectification, I will be returning to my past practice of helping anyone participating in the minyan to do justice to the liturgy. I will gladly and discretely offer an envelope to any davener who has unintentionally suggested a creative rendition of any of the siddur text. In that envelope will be a page from the siddur with the challenging word(s) circled and the higui metukan (corrected pronunciation) indicated. This should not be seen as criticism or disapproval but, rather, as appreciative acknowledgement of your undaunted resolve to rise to the podium and share your skills with the congregation!
Let us all appreciate the opportunity on this Shavuot Festival to enhance our learning and various Jewish skills through dedicated Tikkun, not just on a lengthy night, but on a regular basis.
Hag Shavuot Samei’ach!
Michael Rubin
