עברית
Prayer and Blessings
What Should One Do If They Fell Asleep Without Reciting Shema and Woke Up?
Question
Hello and blessings!
If I fell asleep before I managed to say the Shema and woke up in the middle of the night before dawn, can I say it at that time upon waking? If so, what exactly can I say, the whole thing or only part? What do I need to do before and after...?
Thank you in advance.
Answer
Greetings,
If you are going back to sleep and think you will fall asleep before dawn, you should recite the Shema on your bed as usual.
Sources: It is written in the book Leket Yosher, part Orach Chaim (edition of Mikdash Melech, p. 178) that if someone forgot to recite the Shema on their bed, if they remembered before sleeping, they need to get up from their bed and recite it. However, if they are already sleeping, they do not need to get up. This should be interpreted not as a statement that they do not need to recite the Shema if they return to sleep again, but rather that they can recite the Shema while lying down, and do not need to trouble themselves to get up. This is also noted by the editor there (note 67). Similarly, it is stated in the book Shegigot Mi Yavin, part 1 (section 32, paragraph 9 and the note there) in the name of Rav Elyashiv zt”l, that if someone forgot to recite the Shema on their bed and fell asleep, and then woke up from their sleep - they are obligated to recite the Shema.
Best regards,
Hillel Meirs
