Napping in the Jewish Tradition 3

Napping while the scroll is read...

It has been a little while since we’ve offered some napping wisdom from the Jewish tradition. If you’re newer to TND, I’m a rabbi and love to pore over rabbinic texts that offer opinions on our favorite topic. Definitely check out Napping in the Jewish Tradition 1 written by me and Napping in the Jewish Tradition 2 written by Henrietta.

This text is from the Babylonian Talmud and is a conversation around the reading of the megillah scroll on the festival of Purim. One is obligated to read the megillah on Purim. But what if you’re napping while the community reads the scroll? Does it count? Did you fulfill your obligation?

The rabbis answer, “If he napped he has still fulfilled his obligation. What is considered napping? R. Ashi said: Sleeping, but not really sleeping. Awake, but not really awake. If they call him, he would answer. But he would not know how to offer a reasonable response, but when they remind him, he remembers.” (Megillah 18b)

Rabbinic wisdom at its best. You nap and still get credit for hearing the megillah. This is a great text to cite if your boss or professor ever catches you snoozing during a lecture or meeting. “Did you hear what I just said,” they ask. “No. But yes I still get credit for being here,” you reply. Happy napping.