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Prayers Before Sleep
TALMUD
The structured prayers and blessings recited before sleep reflect a deeply spiritual approach to the act of sleeping. The first tractate of the Mishnah, Berakhot, discusses the laws of prayers, including the Shema and other supplications recited before sleep.
Choni's Seventy-Year Sleep
REFERENCE
Choni's seventy-year sleep is a miraculous event that connects sleep, prophecy, and the restoration of Zion. The Jerusalem Talmud recounts the story of Choni the Circle Drawer, a legendary figure known for his miraculous prayers for rain.
The Spiritual Journey of Sleep
KABBALAH
The Zohar reveals that sleep is not just a physical necessity but a spiritual journey where the soul of a meritorious person ascends and receives divine insights. This foundational Kabbalistic text, traditionally attributed to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, explores the mystical dimensions of sleep and the soul's elevation.
Who Gets the Most Sleep?
TALMUD
The rabbis observed that different groups of people were endowed with distinct traits, such as slaves being allotted a greater portion of sleep. The Babylonian Talmud in tractate Kiddushin discusses the distribution of various traits and behaviors among different groups in the world.
Keeping the High Priest Awake
TALMUD
The High Priest's preparedness and alertness on the eve of Yom Kippur are crucial for performing his sacred duties effectively. The Talmudic tractate Yoma details the measures taken to ensure the High Priest remains awake and alert, including dietary restrictions and familiarization with the order of service.
Sleeping on One's Stomach
COMMENTARY
The Tosafists provide a fascinating glimpse into ancient customs, such as the practice of sleeping on one's stomach. The medieval Tosafot commentaries analyze and question Talmudic texts, offering additional insights and interpretations.
Adam's Deep Slumber
MIDRASH
The divine intervention in casting a deep slumber upon Adam reveals his mortality and humanity. The fifth-century midrashic text, Bereshit Rabbah, offers a homiletic interpretation of the Book of Genesis, providing deep insights into early rabbinic thought and Jewish theology.
Conquering Laziness in Sleep
CHASIDUT
Overcoming laziness related to excessive sleeping is essential for personal growth and self-discipline. Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira, in his early 20th-century work 'Chovat HaTalmidim,' offers practical advice and techniques to help wake up more easily without compromising health.
Awakening to God's Presence
TANAKH
Jacob's awakening from sleep reveals a profound recognition of God's presence. The book of Genesis recounts Jacob's dream of a ladder reaching to heaven, with angels ascending and descending, and his subsequent realization of the sanctity of the place.
The Role of Sleep in Creation
TARGUM
Sleep plays a crucial role in the biblical narrative, particularly in the creation of Eve from Adam's rib. The Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, an Aramaic translation and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, provides additional details and explanations not found in the original text.
Milk as a Sedative in Biblical Times
COMMENTARY
Radak explains how Jael used milk to make Sisera sleepy, leading to his downfall. In his medieval commentary on the book of Judges, Radak provides insight into the physiological effects of milk as a sedative.
The Health Benefits of Sleep
JEWISH THOUGHT
Sleep is more beneficial to your health than even food and drink. In his 11th-century ethical work, Duties of the Heart, Bachya ibn Pekudah emphasizes the importance of sleep for maintaining and strengthening one's health.
The Timing of the Nighttime Shema
GUIDES
The timing of the Shema prayer at night is intricately linked to the emergence of the stars and can extend until dawn in exigent circumstances. The Babylonian Talmud in tractate Berakhot discusses the specific halakhic time frame for the recitation of the Shema at night and the blessings associated with it.
The Perils of Laziness
MUSAR
Laziness can make the study of Torah and observance of commandments feel burdensome. The 15th-century ethical work, Orchot Tzadikim, emphasizes the importance of diligence in spiritual and religious duties.
The Bed in the Sukkah
COMMENTARY
The height of the bed inside a Sukkah can affect the mitzvah of dwelling in it. Rabbi Ovadiah Bartenura's 15th-century commentary explains that the bed must be at least ten handbreadths high to create a sufficient separation between the person and the roof of the Sukkah, fulfilling the halachic requirement for Sukkot.
The Best Way to Sleep
HALAKHAH
Rambam provides detailed guidance on the optimal physical posture and timing for sleep, emphasizing the importance of these practices for overall health. In his monumental 12th-century legal code, the Mishneh Torah, Rambam offers practical advice on how to sleep in a way that promotes both physical and spiritual well-being.
Divine Guardianship During Sleep
LITURGY
The Bedtime Shema emphasizes the protective and comforting presence of God during sleep, ensuring divine guardianship and peace. This prayer, recited before sleep, includes verses from Psalm 91 and is a common practice in Jewish tradition to invoke divine protection.
Rest for Body and Soul
SECOND TEMPLE
Sleep provides rest for the body and a retreat for the soul, allowing for self-communion and privacy. Philo of Alexandria, a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, explores the dual aspects of sleep and how Jewish law acknowledges these through specific thank-offerings.
The Restless Nights of Job
TANAKH
The Book of Job vividly captures the torment of sleepless nights filled with anxiety and restlessness. Job, a righteous man tested by immense suffering, describes his nights as endless and filled with turmoil, eagerly awaiting the dawn.
Jacob's Dream, Jusepe de Ribera, Spain, 1639
Jacob's Dream, Jusepe de Ribera, Spain, 1639
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