Meanings
noun
- A night in which God is considered to protect the Jews - applied to the first two nights of Pesach.
The entire abridged form of the seven blessings is omitted because the only reason for repeating the Amidah is danger and the first night of Passover is considered layl shimurim, a night of vigil when there exists Divine protection against all harmful forces.
1996, Macy Nulman, The Encyclopedia of Jewish Prayer, page 323
Origin
- Hebrewלֵיל שִׁמֻּרִים“vigil”
- Englishleil shimurim
From Hebrew לֵיל שִׁמֻּרִים (“vigil”).
More words from Hebrew
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
APA
leil shimurim. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/leil%20shimurim
MLA
“leil shimurim.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/leil%20shimurim. Accessed November 5, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “leil shimurim,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/leil%20shimurim.
Source: leil shimurim on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.