Tikkun Leil Shavuot 2025 Ashkelon

What is Tikkun Leil Shavuot?

The practice of staying up all Shavuot night to study Torah – known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot (“Rectification for Shavuot Night”) – is based on a Midrash that the night before the Israelites were supposed to receive the Torah, they went to sleep early so they would be well-rested for the momentous day ahead. As luck would have it, they overslept and Moses had to wake them up, because Hashem was already waiting on the mountaintop (Shir Hashirim Rabbah 1:57). To rectify this perceived flaw in the national character, many Jews stay up all night to learn Torah.

When Did the Custom Start?

The custom of all-night Torah study goes back to 1533 when Rabbi Joseph Caro, author of the Shulchan Aruch, then living in Ottoman Salonika, invited Rabbi Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz and other Kabbalistic colleagues to hold Shavuot-night study vigils for which they prepared for three days in advance, just as the Israelites had prepared for three days before the giving of the Torah. During one of those study sessions, an angel appeared and taught them Jewish law.

Central Synagogue of Afridar

2 Yehezkel Sonabend St. Google Map Location

The Central Synagogue of Afridar was dedicated in 1959. The building was designed, funded and built by the South African Jewish community. It is the largest Ashkenaz Orthodox shul in Ashkelon. The grounds are fenced in and children play in the courtyard outside the shul or in the large park (the magnificent Desha Hagadol). The shul is located in Afridar, about a six-minute walk from HaShayetet/HaTayasim streets and about 12 minutes from Modiin/Yefe Nof streets.  It is a popular choice for English speakers from the US, Canada, South Africa and the UK.

The shiurim will be given in English to men and women and light refreshments will be served.

There will be a 10-minute break between each shiur.

Beit Midrash (English)

  • 10:15 – 10:45 PM “The Golem of Joseph’s Brothers: On Robots, Love, and Halacha” — Rabbi Dr. Mois Navon
  • 10:55 – 11:25 PM “Discovering God: Abraham or Ruth Style?” — Dr. Lisa Fredman
  • 11:35 PM – 12:05 AM “From Kiddushin to Chuppah: Nuances of the Jewish Wedding in the Eyes of Rabbi Soloveitchik” — Rabbi Michael Fredman

Main Shul (Hebrew)

  • 10:30 – 11:15 PM “Saving the Life of a Non-Jew on Shabbat” — Cliff Felig
  • 11:30 PM – 12:15 AM “Luchot Habrit” —  Zev Gershon

Tzohar has created a new study booklet: “From the Sinai Covenant to the Present Day: Covenants. Essays. Identity”

This is not a presentation, it is Tzohar’s in-depth study booklet in English for Shavuot. The booklet is intended for those who want to deepen their study, with lesson plans. Thought-provoking opinion columns and discussion on the Sinai Covenant and its significance today. Among the authors: Merav Leshem Gonen, Ruthie Russo, Omer Barak, Rabbi Joe Wolfson, and more.  There will be limited quantities available for participants. If you want a digital version, you can receive a free PDF from Tzohar on their website.

Bios of Speakers

Cliff Felig made Aliyah to Israel in 1992 and is an attorney in Tel Aviv. He and his wife Minna live in Ramat Gan, when they are not in Ashkelon – where they love to spend time with their children and grandchildren.

Dr. Lisa Fredman has a PhD from Bar Ilan University and was the founding principal of the YTA Girls’ School in Jerusalem. She is a lecturer of Bible at Efrata Teachers’ College in Jerusalem and the Women’s Beit Midrash in Efrat. As a fellow in the Matan Kitvuni Fellowship Program, she has recently authored a book on Rashi’s holistic approach to King Solomon’s writings, which is slated for publication within the coming year.

Rabbi Michael Fredman received Smicha from Yeshiva University, and holds a Master’s degree in Physical Education from Columbia University and another Master’s degree in Talmud from Bar Ilan University. The former principal of the Orot Etzion Boys’ School in Efrat, he has many years of experience in both formal and informal Jewish education both in Israel and abroad.

Zev Gershon is an attorney practicing out of Baltimore who made Aliyah with his family to Bet Shemesh 28 years ago. He and his wife Sue have 7 children and many grandchildren . During the day, he learns in Kollel, and in the afternoon and evening he works for his American law office. He has written three books on Torah topics and loves to learn.

Rabbi Dr. Mois Navon is one of the founding engineers of Mobileye, where he designed the EyeQ family of SoC (System On a Chip) – the chip powering the autonomous vehicle revolution. He holds a B.S. degree in computer engineering from UCLA, as well as Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Jewish Philosophy from Bar Ilan University in addition to his rabbinic ordination through Yeshivat Mercaz Harav. Working at the intersection of Torah U’Madda, his doctoral dissertation entitled “The Moral Status of Artificial Intelligence” addresses the ethical questions arising in the field of AI. In this vein, he teaches a course on “Ethics in Big Data and Artificial Intelligence” at Ben Gurion University. He is also a National Advisor to the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology on Artificial Intelligence Policy and Regulation in Israel. His work can be found at www.divreinavon.com.