In the Beginning…

The holy Zohar teaches that Hashem Himself joins together with the angels and the souls of tzaddikim to personally listen to Torah that is being studied at Chatzos. Hashem says, "Whatever these men will decree, I will fulfill. Whomever these men bless, I will maintain."

In 5761 (2001) a group of five young Torah scholars from Beitar Illit, a small town in the Judean Hills, did something revolutionary - they followed our Sages' advice began arising at midnight to recite Tikkun Chatzos and study Torah. As word got around, other scholars joined them. A small caravan was found to house them, a donor offered to support them, and Kollel Chatzot was born.

Today

Today, over one hundred Torah scholars from Beitar Illit, Beit Shemesh and yes, even Yerushalayim, learn throughout the night in Kollel Chatzot. Their day begins at 12:20 a.m. when minivans make the rounds to bring them to the Kollel where they start with Tikkun Chatzos. Afterwards each scholar dedicates that night's Torah study to the evening's sponsor and offers a prayer for his welfare. Scholars who have signed a Yissachar-Zevulun contract publicly announce that they are sharing that evening's reward with their learning partner as is stated in the Yissachar-Zevulun contract itself and offer an additional prayer for their learning partner's welfare.

Click here to view the Tikkun Chatzos.

Before Shacharit, the scholars immerse in the mikveh. Dozens of local residents come to the Kollel to daven Shacharit with the sunrise, and to get their daily shot of inspiration. After Shacharit, the Rosh Kollel, Rav Yehoshua Meir Deutch delivers a twenty minute talk aimed at strengthening the scholars' dedication to Torah.

Tuesday nights, the entire Kollel travels to the Kosel, where they spend an hour and a half mourning the destruction and praying for Am Yisrael's welfare. Our scholars slowly read the names listed on the Kollel's Kvittel and pray for their welfare.

Erev Rosh Chodesh the entire Kollel travels to Meiron, to the burial place of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, author of the Zohar. At midnight, after praying for Am Yisrael, they slowly recite the names listed on the Kollel's Kvittel, while praying for their welfare. Click here to watch video.



The Kollel has transformed lives.

In the words of our scholars:

"There is a special clarity to my midnight Torah study. No banks, no shopping no family obligations; my mind is clear of all distractions."

"The study is on a completely different level. We see siyata d'Shemaya and are able to cover much more material than during the day."

"I can be completely exhausted, but then the fire of midnight Torah learning wakes me up."

"Shacharit at sunrise feels like Neilah on Yom Kippur."

"I've never accomplished as much as I've accomplished in the Kollel Chatzot. Thanks to my learning in such an elevated environment, I've bee privileged to complete several tractates of the Talmud!"

Tomorrow
The Kollel presently studies and prays in a small, rundown building without air conditioning or proper facilities. The municipality of Beitar, recognizing the tremendous contribution that Kollel Chatzos has made to the community, granted the Kollel a large plot of land. Final plans are presently being completed prior to beginning actual construction of the building. With proper accommodations Kollel Chatzos will become a true spiritual center, literally illuminating the entire world with the pure, pristine light of Torah. In addition to plans to enable more the Yissachar-Zevulun contracts, for the benefit of more students and more Torah supporters of the nighttime Kollel Chatzos and the daytime Halachah Kollel, plans for the future include various lecture series for working men, activities for at-risk youth, classes and workshops for teenage girls and married women, as well as an outreach center. Hundreds of Torah scholars will be learning there around the clock."