The Kabbalah of Sleep
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| "Giraffe Dreaming" by David Brook |
Question:
I would like to know how sleep is understood from a Chassidic view. What happens with the soul and consciousness during sleep?
Answer:
This is indeed a fascinating topic! Here are a few concepts regarding sleep from Chasidic sources:
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When discussing sleep, there are always two sides of the coin: the body and the soul. For the body's perspective, the Talmud refers to sleep as 1/60th of death -- and for good reason. Our eyes are closed. Conscious powers become weakened, and we lose control of many of our faculties. Yet, for the soul, it is a time of rejuvenation. It is united with its Source above and spiritually refreshed and recharged.
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This "siluk hakochot" (departure of faculties) only affects the conscious dimensions of our psyche. But in the absence of the conscious, the subconscious emerges. Thus, according to the Kabbalah, the soul's essential powers are in fact strengthened and more apparent while one is asleep.
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Even amongst our conscious faculties, many of them are still very much present during sleep, but the hierarchy which normally governs them is absent. The mind no longer controls the heart, and we no longer think before we speak or act. This is because all our powers are elevated to the way they exist – in a united state, in potential – within the essence of our soul. And in this "embryonic state," there is no above or below, earlier or later.
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Based on all the above, the Kabbala often refers to the state of galut (exile) as sleep. During exile, our eyes are closed from seeing G‑dliness. Our spiritual senses, which allow us to understand Torah, appreciate a miracle, and love and fear G‑d, are greatly weakened. Our priorities are confused as we often have difficulty realizing the true purpose of life.
However, it is specifically during exile that the essential power of a Jew is revealed. When times are tough, the soul's overdrive is activated. She believes despite not understanding. She continues to serve G‑d despite feeling no inspiration. And it is in the merit of this mesirat nefesh (self-sacrifice) that our eyes will open and we will regain our spiritual abilities with the coming of Moshiach…
More on sleep in the following articles: Why Do we Sleep?, On Sleep and Dreams and The Philosophy of Sleep
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Latest Comments:
Great article on a very fabulously controversial issue here by our learned Rabbi, Yisroel Cotlar.
I also like the comments of people below especially from the anonymous "SLEEP". Thank you so much and may G-d bless you with greater inspiration as you labour in his vine yard.
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I had always felt that during the dream state I am more aware of my "inner self" which my waking mind might overlook or my faults I deny in my wakefulness, through dream imagery. I had heard somewhere that the dream state is when the soul travels to be instructed or reminded of it's true self. It can be a time of refreshing spiritual repose, as your article suggests, or it can be a time of learning and correction, perhaps gentle discipline. I wonder if this is the time where we are most open to instruction from G-d, because our souls are totally free from worldly distractions?
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Doesn't the idea that our soul is rejuvenated during sleep emphasize our obligation to sleep for our spiritual health. How does one induce it or allow for more sleep with all the mitzvot we're to do with other obligations of work, family, prayer schedules, ect? Thanks for this subject.
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Sleep and the Ari
"Every night his soul ascended to heaven. Angels would escort him, asking which academy he chose to visit. Sometimes it would be that of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. He also visited the academies of Rabbi Akiba and Rabbi Eliezer the Great, and on occasion the academies of the ancient Prophets.
At the end of this period he received a command to go to the Holy land, from Elijah the Prophet."
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I have spent many months studying the Scriptures on the soul and spirit concepts. Still battling in some respects. The statement: the soul becomes spiritually refreshed - what exactly does the expression 'spiritually' mean in this context?
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Rabbi Cotlar was my neighbor on Braesvalley Dr. in Meyerland, Houston. I knew his parents and sister. But I heard/knew nothing about Chabad!! I am an Israeli now.
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If this is the case, why do Tzadikkim rarely sleep, or at a minimum sleep for only short periods of time? And if we are to emulate Tzadikkim is it bad for us to sleep in or take a nap once in awhile?
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So what does it mean when we have nightmares, even if we say Shema?
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