Sleeping On Rosh HaShanah?

Halacha Moment
Sep 16, 2022
2 min read

Updated: Sep 12, 2023

The Daily Halacha Moment - Sleeping on Rosh HaShanah😴

״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן ‎העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)

“Anyone who studies Halachot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the world-to-come” (Megilla 28b, Niddah 73a)

Question:

I heard that one should not sleep on Rosh HaShanah afternoon is this true?

Answer:

It is a praiseworthy custom to refrain from sleeping during the day on Rosh HaShanah, and to learn Torah instead. If one finds this difficult, he may take a nap after chatzot (Halachic Midday). [1]

It is good to note, that it is better to wake up early to pray at netz even if one will have to sleep in the afternoon, rather than waking up later to pray with a later minyan, and not taking a nap during the day.[2] However, one who will not be able to concentrate during the prayers if he wakes up too early may pray with a later Minyan. [3]

Adapted From R' Yonatan Nacsons "Laws Of The Holidays"

Sources:

[1]. See Rama, O.C. 583:2. Shaar Hakavanot 90a brings that the Arizal himself would sleep for a little while after chatzot on the day of Rosh HaShanah. See Ben Ish Chai, Netzavim 1:11; Kaf HaChaim 584:38–39; Chazon Ovadia, Yamim Nora’im, p. 183; Yalkut Yosef, Yamim Nora’im, p. 299; and Ohr LeTzion, vol. 4, 4:8. See also Derech Sichah, vol. 1, p. 378, which states in the name of Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky that one may dose off while he is learning even on Rosh HaShanah. It also adds that elderly people who are weak and need their strength may sleep before chatzot; stating that his esteemed father, Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, in his old age would sleep on Rosh HaShanah before chatzot. Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Shalmei Moed, p. 46 and Halichot Shlomo, Rosh HaShanah 1:24 adds that one also does not have to wake up earlier than amud hashachar if he needs to sleep until a later time to have strength for prayer. See also Teshuvot VeHanhagot 1:339 and Torat HaMoadim, Yamim Nora’im, p. 72.

[2]. Ben Ish Chai, Netzavim 1:11; Kaf HaChaim §39.

[3]. Teshuvot VeHanhagot 1:339.

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