My friend Alicia Jo Rabins, of Girls in Trouble fame (but more importantly to me, from “played fiddle at my wedding” fame) was interviewed on Tablet about the tradition of the Tikkun Leil Shavuot, staying up all night to study Torah on the first night of Shavuot. She likens the practice to the near ecstacy of a sleepover party – young girls giddy from staying up together way past their bedtimes.

Her interview helped me reframe the Shavuot celebration I am planning. Because their school is closed, and my husband’s public high school is not, I’m swooping the girls off to the Cape for the holiday. I had planned to read Zoe’s “torah” that she will bring home from Gan tomorrow, and make blintzes. But I want this night to be extra special – to really help commemorate the awesomeness of revelation. Although I participated in quite a few all night study sessions before I had children, I actually hadn’t considered intentionally staying up extra late with the girls. But thanks to Alicia, we will be up until at least ten. Will it be mystical? I don’t know. But I’ll let you know.

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