Shema

Hi,

There is a mitzvah to recite Shema twice a day. The Torah says to recite Shema "when we rise and when we go to sleep," and these times are talmudically understood to refer to the normal times of rising and going to sleep. Thus we are instructed to recite Shema (1) from first light through the first quarter of the day, and (2) from when the stars emerge, through the night.

Please note that this is separate from the mitzvah of reciting Shema before one goes to sleep. That is a practice for personal protection, as we have a verse-based tradition that reciting Shema protects us during the night. However, one could recite the entire Shema before going to sleep and so fulfill the mitzvah of reciting Shema in the evening, and reciting it at bedtime, simultaneously.

(Talmud, Berachot 5a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Sleeping by day

Hi,

We have now discussed three parts of the bedtime ritual: Shma, the blessing of HaMapil, and additional passages regarding Divine protection.

The former two elements were instituted for nighttime sleep, but only the latter is recited before going to sleep between dawn and sunset.

(Mishneh Berurah 239:8)

Moadim l'simchah,
Mordechai

Unable to sleep after Shma?

Hello,

We have said that one should recite Shma shortly before falling asleep at night.

One who recites Shma and then finds that he cannot sleep may simply recite the first paragraph of Shma again, once he feels tired.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 239:1; Mishneh Berurah 239:7)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Posture for Shma

Hi,

One should not recline while reciting the bedside Shma, in order to ensure concentration and also in order to display respect.

One who has already fulfilled the night's obligatory Shma (such as at maariv) and is already lying down, and for whom it would be burdensome to rise, may roll on to his side to recite the bedside Shma.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 239:1; Mishneh Berurah 239:6)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Reciting Shma just before going to sleep

Hi,

The Shma we recite before bed is meant to be recited just before sleeping, so one should wait to recite it until he senses that sleep is near. However, one who lies in bed for some time after Shma, without engaging in another activity, need not repeat Shma.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 239:1; Mishneh Berurah 239:3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The Bedside Shma

Hi,

Today we begin a new set of laws, briefer than our discussion about washing for bread. Today we begin to discuss the bedside recitation of Shma - קריאת שמע על המטה, kriat shma al hamitah.

The practice is to recite just the first paragraph of Shma - Shma Yisrael and v'Ahavta. However, one who did not recite Maariv must say the entire Shma, in order to fulfill the biblical mitzvah of reciting Shma at night.

There are those who suggest there is merit in reciting the complete Shma by one's bed, even if one already recited Maariv. Certainly, there is no loss in doing so.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 239:1; Mishneh Berurah 239:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai