Halachot and Customs
Sleeping in a Room with Sacred Books
Is It Permitted to Sleep in a Room with Sacred Books?
Question
With Hashem's help.
Honored rabbi, is it permitted to sleep in a room with sacred books?
Thank you!
Answer
Greetings,
It is permitted to sleep in a room where there are sacred books (see Sefer Chassidim, siman 817, and Millei d'Chassiduta and Mikkor Chessed there).
However, one must be careful that the area of nakedness not be exposed before the sacred books (see Mishnah Berurah, siman 45, seif katan 5, and Ginzai HaKodesh, chapter 4, sections 8-10. Also see the book Levushah shel Torah, part 1, simanim 19-20).
(Regarding a married couple, see Mishnah Berurah, siman 240, seif katan 29, Ginzai HaKodesh, pages 62-63, and Halacha Berurah, part 3, page 280).
Regards,
Hillel Meirs
