Napping in the Jewish Tradition 1
It's a thing
Today we have a guest post from Rabbi Evan, a dear friend and proud member of the To Nap, Divine family. Enjoy!
I recall sitting in High Holy Day services as a kid, looking around the seemingly cavernous sanctuary, noting how many adults were indulging in a short nap, often during the rabbi’s sermon. Who knew that I myself would become a rabbi, and am pleased to report that all these years later I still look around the room on the High Holy Days, this time from the bimah, to note who is treating themselves to a short snooze during my annual sermon.
Believe it or not, napping is the topic of some pretty sleepy debate among rabbinic sages. Joseph Karo, the author of the 16th century compendium of Jewish law known as the Shulchan Aruch, notes that one is forbidden to sleep in the synagogue, even for a short nap (sorry all you sermon nappers!). It is, however, permitted to take a nap in a house of study (SA Orach Chayim 151:3).
There are other instances when one is either encouraged or discouraged to nap, according to our rabbis. Moses Maimonides, the Rambam, writes in the Mishneh Torah that a nap before eating, after bath, is beneficial (MT Human Dispositions 4:17). However the rabbis of the Talmud note that one may not nap while holding any sacred or ritual items (Berachot 23b). And finally, ask the rabbis, “how long is considered a brief nap? It is equivalent to the time it takes to walk one hundred cubits” (Sukkah 26b). That’s only about 150 feet. I’ll opt for the sermon nap instead.