Community Magazine June 2014

The Top 10 Questions & Answers on custom and laws of Dedicated in loving memory of HachamNissim benMazal a.h Sleep RABBI DANIEL D. LEVY 1 WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR ONE TO SLEEP? While a person sleeps at night, his neshamah goes to Heaven and reconnects with his Creator to receive a spiritual “recharge.” Sleep is important physically, as well, as it serves to ensure one’s continued ability to properly serve his Creator. 2 HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD ONE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT? The Rambam ( Hilchot De’ot 4:4-5) writes that it is adequate to sleep eight hours, preferably the eight hours before sunrise, and one should wake up shortly before sunrise. He adds that one should not go to sleep soon after eating, and should instead wait 3-4 hours after eating before going to sleep for the night. One should not sleep during the daytime, though if one needs a short nap to rejuvenate himself during the day, he may sleep. Practically speaking, Hacham Ben Sion Abba Shaul writes that one can train his body to function properly with fewer than eight hours of sleep, and every person’s physical limitations differ, and therefore one should sleep as much as he needs. 3 HOW SHOULD ONE POSITION HIS BED? The Shulhan Aruch ( Orah Haim 3:6) writes that one who sleeps with his spouse should not sleep with his body lying east to west, even when the spouse is not there, because the Shechinah (Hashem’s presence) resides in the west. Therefore, the bed should be positioned north to south, and the Gemara (Berachot 5a) comments that one who arranges his bed from north to south is rewarded with sons and protected from miscarriages. However, Rav David Yosef ( Halachah Berurah 3:9) cites the Zohar as instructing that to the contrary, the head of the bed should be to the east with its feet to the west. In light of these differing views, one may position his bed in whichever direction he chooses. 4 IN WHICH POSITION SHOULD ONE SLEEP? The Rambam ( Hilchot De’ot 4:5) says that one should not sleep on his stomach or on his back, but rather on his side. When one goes to sleep he should sleep on his left side, and he may turn over to his right side toward the end of the night if he so desires. The Kaf Hahaim (238:11) cites the Sha’ar Hakavanot (pg 52:4) as commenting that sleeping in this position helps weaken the harmful spirits, adding that sleeping with tiztzit also has this effect. One should not place his hand on his thigh while sleeping, as this may lead to frightening dreams (Hida in Devash Lefi , p. 317, Kaf Hahaim 288:66). 5 IS IT PERMISSIBLE TO SLEEP WITH SHOES ON? The Gemara (Yoma 88b) comments that one should not wear shoes while sleeping because he thereby “tastes the taste of death,” and according to some opinions, this impairs one’s memory ( Sefer Zechirah ). One should ensure that children, too, remove their shoes before going to sleep. The Kaf Hahaim ( Yoreh De’ah 1:16:210) writes that this applies even to sandals and wide shoes. 6 WHAT ITEMS ARE PERMITTED TO BE UNDER THE BED ONE SLEEPS ON? The Gemara (Sukkah) instructs that nothing should be under one’s bed as he sleeps except his shoes. Even food in its original, sealed package should not be kept under one’s bed. 7 MAY ONE HAVE CLOTHING UNDER HIS HEAD WHILE SLEEPING? The Gemara (Horiyot 13b) comments that one who sleeps with clothing under his head forgets his Torah knowledge. This does not apply, however, if there is something in between one’s clothes and his head, as was the practice of the kohanim when they would sleep in the Bet Hamikdash ( Magen Giborim ), or if the clothing is near, but not under, one’s head (Be’er Sheva). Additionally, one may sleep with his head on his arm, even though his arm is covered by his sleeve ( Sefer Zikaron ). According to some halachic authorities, the risk of losing knowledge applies only if one regularly sleeps on a regular basis with his head on clothing, though others maintain that one should never sleep in this manner. 52 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE