leil shimurim

English

Etymology

From Hebrew לֵיל שִׁמֻּרִים (“vigil”).

Noun

leil shimurim

1. A night in which God is considered to protect the Jews - applied to the first two nights of Pesach.
   • 1996, Macy Nulman, The Encyclopedia of Jewish Prayer, page 323:

     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.