Common Laws Regarding the Recitation of Tikkun Chatzot

The Time for Tikkun Chatzot

The time for Tikkun Chatzot is from halachic midnight until dawn.

Times When Tikkun Chatzot Is Not Recited (in Whole or in Part)

• Shabbat and Yom Tov — it is not recited at all.
• Saturday night — it is recited as usual.
• Rosh Chodesh — only Tikkun Leah is recited, without Psalm 20 and with Psalm 51.
• The eve of Rosh Chodesh — before the molad it is recited as usual; after the molad, only Tikkun Leah is recited, with Psalms 20 and 51.
• The eve of Rosh Hashanah — before the molad of Tishrei it is recited as usual; after the molad of Tishrei, only Tikkun Leah is recited.
• Rosh Hashanah — it is not recited at all.
• The Ten Days of Repentance — only Tikkun Leah is recited, with Psalms 20 and 51.
• The eve of Yom Kippur — only Tikkun Leah is recited, without Psalm 20 and with Psalm 51.
• Yom Kippur — it is not recited at all.
• Between Yom Kippur and Sukkot — only Tikkun Leah is recited, without Psalm 20 and with Psalm 51.
• Chol HaMoed Sukkot, Hoshana Rabbah — only Tikkun Leah is recited, without Psalm 20 and with Psalm 51.
• From Isru Chag until Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, inclusive — only Tikkun Leah is recited, without Psalm 20 and with Psalm 51.
• Chanukah — only Tikkun Leah is recited, without Psalm 20 and with Psalm 51.
• The fifteenth of Shevat — only Tikkun Leah is recited, without Psalm 20 and with Psalm 51.
• Purim and Purim Katan — only Tikkun Leah is recited, without Psalm 20 and with Psalm 51.
• The month of Nissan — only Tikkun Leah is recited, without Psalm 20 and with Psalm 51.
• Chol HaMoed Pesach — it is not recited at all.
• From the second of Iyar until the twenty-ninth of Iyar, inclusive, except for Lag BaOmer — only Tikkun Leah is recited, with Psalms 20 and 51.
• Lag BaOmer, from the second of Sivan until the twelfth of Sivan, inclusive, and the fifteenth of Av — only Tikkun Leah is recited, without Psalm 20 and with Psalm 51.
• From the second of Sivan until the twelfth of Sivan, inclusive — only Tikkun Leah is recited, without Psalm 20 and with Psalm 51.
• Tisha B’Av — only Tikkun Rachel is recited.
• The fifteenth of Av — only Tikkun Leah is recited, without Psalm 20 and with Psalm 51.
• During the Shemittah year in Eretz Yisrael — only Tikkun Leah is recited, without Psalm 20 and with Psalm 51.
  
  

Those Obligated and Those Exempt from Reciting Tikkun Chatzot

A groom during the seven days of celebration, as well as one who is in the groom’s house at midnight — recites only Tikkun Leah, without Psalm 20 and with Psalm 51.

Vach Nacht — it is recited as usual.

A mourner [who is generally accustomed to reciting Tikkun Chatzot] — recites only Tikkun Leah, without Psalm 20 and with Psalm 51.

Women — do not recite Tikkun Chatzot at all.