עברית
Faith
Baby Smiling in Sleep
Question
Hello Rabbi, an article was published by a gallery on the site regarding babies who smile in their sleep. I heard from Rabbi Yaakov Shkansky, shlit"a, that when one sees a baby smiling in their sleep, one should touch their nose, and it is beneficial. I wanted to ask why this is beneficial? What is the reason for the phenomenon of smiling in sleep? And is there any concern about harmful spirits? What is the source? Thank you very much.
Answer
Greetings,
Indeed, this is what the Chida, zt"l, brought in his book, Dvash Lefi (Section 1, Letter 18), in the name of Likuttei Gurim of the Ariz"l, that children who laugh while sleeping, and even when they laugh alone, even during the day, it is a sign that a certain spirit is playing with them, especially if it happens on the night of Rosh Chodesh. Therefore, when such a thing occurs, one should say:
'Zili, [name] from here, there is no division here, and I encapsulate, there is no rest here for you.'
זילי פלונית מכאן, לית לך כאן חולק ואחסנא, לית לך כאן נייחא.
And one should say 'VaYehi Noam' three times. This way one should proceed, striking the nose three times, and each time maintaining this order.
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
