Sleeping on One's Clothes

Is it true that one should not use one's clothes as a pillow?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

Indeed, we are told that one who sleeps with one’s clothing under one’s head will forget one’s studies. (1) Some say that this is only true if one’s head is directly on one’s clothes. However, if one’s head is on a pillow, and one’s clothes are under the pillow, there is no problem. (2)Furthermore, some say that the concern on sleeping with one’s clothes under one’s head (that it will cause one to forget one’s studies) is only true if it is done frequently. According to this approach, there is no concern if one does so only once in a while. One of the proofs for this position is from the Kohanim in the Beit Hamikdash who would, in fact, use their clothes as a pillow. However, since every Kohen served only briefly on a rotational basis, it didn’t happen too often and was therefore permitted. (3)

It is argued, however, that one cannot bring a proof from the Kohanim in the Beit Hamikdash that it is permitted to occasionally sleep on one’s clothes. This is because the clothes that the Kohanim wore were considered to be holy items which may have protected them from forgetting their studies. Regular clothes have no such protective powers and, therefore, one might be at risk for forgetting one’s studies even if only sleeping on them occasionally.  The halcha is like this opinion and therfore we say that one should not sleep on one's clothing even as a one-off time.

(4) One may lay one’s head on one’s arm for a nap even though one’s head will be resting on one’s shirt sleeve. This is not considered to be “sleeping on one’s clothes.”

It is worth mentioning that the Rambam, and others, say that eight hours is an adequate amount of sleep each night. (5) In fact, it has been said that a good eight-hour sleep can keep one going for forty hours! (6) Some say that six hours of sleep per night is enough. (7) Others say that every person is different and one may decide for oneself how much sleep one truly needs. (8) Everyone agrees, however, that one should not overly indulge in sleep, and that sleeping more than necessary is a waste of time.(9)

1. Horiot 13b; Mishna Berura 2:2.

2. Mishna Berura 2:2.

3. Salmat Chaim 1:10.

4. Likutei Maharich, Kriat Shema Al Hamita

5. Rambam, Hilchot Deot 4:4; Be’er Heitev 1:6.

6. Eishel Avraham, OC 1.

7. Ben Ish chai, Vayishlach 1.

8. Mishna Berura 238:2.

9. Eruvin 65a; Sanhedrin 98a; Mishlei 6:9.