Igeret HaTeshuvah: Chapter 7 - Part 1

Hello Anonymous,

There is very little halachic basis for not doing so. Those who are lenient point to our revamped schedules, with sleep starting much later due to electric lighting. This makes waking up at midnight less palatable.

However, the actual source is Rav Yaakov Emden (Mor U'ketzia 1:1), who says that Tikkun Chatzot was always only meant to be done in Israel by Torah scholars.

While his view is not accepted by most authorities, it is used as a foundation for the custom not to say Tikkun Chatzot.

Speak to your personal rabbi about what you should do. Reply