Day 15: מִעוּט שֵׁינָה / Minimizing sleep
The next few days come as a series of cautions against frugal, excessive lifestyles. At face level, the list seems like a cold, draconian dismissal of various natural and important wants and needs in our lives. If we dig deeper, we find wise counsel towards mindful consumption and balance.
The Talmud offers, "Torah scholars have rest neither in this world nor in the World-to-Come,” (Brachot 64a) extolling the sages for their stamina and vigor. Torah is our life-force and an intimation of the World-to-Come, whereas sleep is a small sample of our ultimate passing. The rabbis see a zero-sum scale, and of course they choose life.
We now know that without sleep, we cannot show up as our best selves. We do not need to view sleep as a vice, but we should appreciate that is only a virtue insofar as it affords us good health and allows us to pursue productive and meaningful days.
Reflection:
Do you feel good or guilty when you get lots of sleep?
When quarantine messes with our sense of time and routine, how might a thoughtful sleep schedule impact your ability to make the most of each day?
Lived practice:
Take this opportunity to think about your sleep schedule. When you stay up late, is it because you are passing time in productive ways? When you get lots of sleep, is it because you need well-deserved rest after full, productive days? Think about how your sleep schedule correlates with the quality of the day.
