Sleeping on Rosh Hashana

By Rabbi Leonard Matanky

The Rama [Shulchan Aruch Orech Chaim 583:1] notes (and praises) the custom not to sleep on Rosh Hashana. The source given is a Yerushalmi that he who sleeps on Rosh Hashana, his "mazal" sleeps, implying that his judgment may not go as well as it could. However, the Mishnah Berura [ibid. note 9] notes that the Ari z”l did permit a person to sleep after midday.

Interestingly, many suggest that what the Rama was referring to was not taking a nap - but sleeping late, and therefore, people should wake up before sunrise on Rosh Hashana [see: Kaf Hachaim 583:39]. Furthermore, even those who prohibit sleeping during the day [Mishna Berurah ibid.] note that "not sleeping" is not the goal. Rather, the time should be spent on spiritually worthwhile activities such as learning Torah and saying Tehillim [see also Chayei Adam 139:11]. If a little sleep will facilitate learning, then it is a worthwhile tradeoff (ibid.). The Mishna Berura goes on to say that wasting one’s time is equivalent to sleeping.

Finally, since the first day of Rosh Hashana is the main day of judgment, there is even more room for leniency on the second day of Rosh Hashana [Piskei Teshuvot 583:10].