עברית
Halachot and Customs
Drinking After Reciting Shema Before Bed and Additional Questions
Question
Hello and blessings, Binyamin:
1. In the Shema I say before sleep, it states that one should not eat or drink afterwards, which is somewhat difficult for me because sometimes I must drink something at night; I wake up and drink water and find this hard. Is this a serious prohibition?
2. I recently saw that a friend watches a series called The Borgias; it is about the Pope and contains various Christian characters and such. I thought to myself I will not watch it, but should I tell my friend not to watch it?
3. I swallowed limescale from the water in the kettle; is that not kosher?
Thank you.
Answer
Hello and blessings,
Since you have fallen asleep, even if you awaken afterwards, there is no problem with drinking.
Even if you have not fallen asleep and you are very thirsty, it is permitted to drink after the Shema prayer, and then you should return and recite the "Shema Yisrael" up to "u'vish'arecha."
2. While I do not recommend watching such shows at all, you are not obligated to prevent your friend from watching it.
3. There is no kosher issue with limescale.
With blessing,
Binyamin Shmueli
