עברית
Halachot and Customs
Is it permissible to drink water after reciting Shema on the bed?
Question
Hi, I wanted to ask if after reciting Shema on the bed, am I allowed to watch television and say drink water because I saw that right after I must sleep.
The problem is that sometimes I just watch television and then fall asleep until morning; I don’t always have the option to know when I will fall asleep, so I prefer to bless before I watch television.
Is that possible?
Answer
Hello,
It is not permissible to act this way; rather, one should go to sleep immediately after reciting Shema on the bed, as the Rema wrote (Orach Chaim 239:1) that one should read Shema close to their bed, and one should not eat or drink or speak after reciting Shema on the bed but should sleep immediately, as it is said (Psalms 4:5) "Speak in your hearts while on your beds and be silent, Selah."
Only if you suddenly feel thirsty can you drink, and you must bless over the drink (Responsa Yechave Da'at, part 4, section 21, paragraph beginning with 'and among them'), but ideally, one should drink and finish all arrangements before reciting Shema on the bed, as stated above.
Best regards,
Hillel Meirs
