To sleep or not to sleep, that is the question for the busy Jewish woman. With a myriad of tasks always waiting to be accomplished, is sleep a necessary evil, a luxury intended only for teenagers? Or does sleep serve a higher purpose, and therefore take priority over other responsibilities?

The Rebbe Rashab often hosted his granddaughter Shaina (the youngest daughter of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok) for Shabbat. He once taught her that she must do everything on Shabbat for the sake of Shabbat itself—eat in honor of Shabbat, walk in honor of Shabbat, etc. The young girl countered, “I can do everything in honor of Shabbat except sleep—for how can my sleep consciously be in honor of Shabbat, if I am sleeping?”

Her grandfather did not accept her excuse, for even sleep on Shabbat must be holy. When a person prepares properly to go to sleep, having in mind that the sleep itself should be for the sake of Shabbat, then even sleep gets elevated! In this way, sleep doesn’t only rejuvenate the body, but it rejuvenates the soul as well, allowing it to draw down more strength.

Sleep for the Jewish woman is not an interruption of responsibilities, but part and parcel of her responsibilities, ensuring that she has the much-needed energy—for both her body and soul—to fulfill her sacred mission.

Thoughtstream: Today, I will recognize that even in my sleep, I am doing what G‑d wants me to do.

(Adapted from Hitvaduyot 5711, vol. 3, pg. 6, and Sichot Kodesh 5725, vol. 1, pg. 265.)