Sleeping on Rosh Hashanah

There is a widespread custom not to sleep during the day on Rosh Hashana.[1]This custom originates in the Talmudic teaching that "if one sleeps at the year’s beginning, his good fortune will also sleep" - something which one would surely like to avoid happening.[2] One should be using the day for engaging in activities which suggest blessing and good fortune for the coming year, and this includes eating - such as the dipping of apple in honey to symbolize a sweet year.  Since sleep is referred to in many places as "a taste of death" one is advised to avoid it as much as possible on Rosh Hashana.[3] One should spend one's free time on Rosh Hashana engaged in prayer, Torah study, and other good deeds.[4] Those who quickly resort to sleeping the afternoon away are viewed as lazy.[5] All authorities agree, however, that wasting the day or otherwise engaging in meaningless pursuits is even worse than taking a nap.[6]

Nevertheless, those who feel that they need some sleep in order to properly continue throughout the rest of the day are certainly entitled to do so.[7] There were great rabbis, including the Arizal, who chose to sleep on Rosh Hashanah afternoon as well.[8]Some authorities suggest that the concerns regarding sleeping on Rosh Hashana only pertain to the morning hours.[9] According to this view, one need not hesitate to take an afternoon nap if it is needed.[10]

We are taught that the judging which takes place on Rosh Hashanah happens in the morning, primarily during the first three hours of the day. Once the afternoon has arrived one's fate is said to have been sealed and therefore taking a nap at this time will not have any impact on the outcome.[11] According to this view, however, one should wake up on Rosh Hashana no later than sunrise, otherwise one will find oneself sleeping during the morning hours of Rosh Hashana which is precisely what the custom was intended to prevent![12]

Indeed, in days gone by, the synagogue attendant would go around waking up the community before the crack of dawn in order to ensure that no one would find themselves sleeping during the daytime hours of Rosh Hashana, at least not in the morning.[13] It is interesting to note that it is halachically preferable to wake up before the crack of dawn, even if doing so means that one will have to sleep during the afternoon, rather than to wake up after sunrise and remain awake the rest of the day.[14] Sleeping during the nighttime hours  of Rosh Hashana is of no concern, as according to the kabbalists, night is considered to be a time of "kingship" when sleep cannot affect any judicial proceedings which might take place in Heaven.[15]

Some authorities consider the second day of Rosh Hashana to be identical to the first with regards to the custom of not sleeping during the afternoon.[16] Other authorities, however, counsel leniency on the second day of Rosh Hashana based on the view that most of God's judging takes place on the first day of Rosh Hashana.[17] When Rosh Hashana coincides with Shabbat, however, there is more reason to avoid sleeping during the afternoon owing to the combined sanctity of the day.[18]

[1] Rema O.C. 583:2

[2] Darkei Moshe O.C. 583:2, Aruch Hashulchan O.C. 597:2

[3] Mateh Yehuda 483:7, cited in Chikrei Minhagim (Gurary) Vol. II p.120

[4] Avodat Hakodesh;Moreh B'etzba 8:263, cited in Chikrei Minhagim (Gurary) Vol. II p.123

[5] Kaf Hachaim 583:35

[6] Kaf Hachaim 583:37

[7] Shulchan Aruch Harav 583:8, Kaf Hachaim 583:38, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 129:20

[8] Kaf Hachaim 583:35, Bach 597

[9] Aruch Hashulchan 583:4

[10] Magen Avraham 583:3, Kaf Hachaim 583:35

[11] Kaf Hachaim 583:36

[12] Kaf Hachaim 583:39, Mishna Berura 583:9, Alef Hamagen 584:1, Minhag Yisrael Torah 583:7

[13] Mateh Ephraim 584:1

[14] Kaf Hachaim 583:39

[15] Avodat Yisrael p.201, cited in Chikrei Minhagim (Gurary) Vol. II p.126

[16] Kaf Hachaim 583:36

[17] Minhag Yisrael Torah 583:7, Piskei Teshuvot 583:10

[18] Shaar Hamelech 4:2, cited in Chikrei Minhagim (Gurary) Vol. II p.125