Sleep on Shabbat is a Pleasure

Sleep on Shabbat is a mitzvah, since the purpose of Shabbat is rest, which is the simple meaning of the word "Shabbat" (from the language of ceasing and resting). The overall conduct on Shabbat is one of pleasure, which includes physical pleasure in relation to material matters in their simple sense - eating fatty meat, drinking aged wine, sleeping, and similar activities.

Due to the importance of sleep on Shabbat as part of Shabbat pleasure, the Alter Rebbe wrote in the Shulchan Aruch that the custom is to arrive at the synagogue for morning prayers later than on weekdays, but one must be very careful not to miss the time for reciting Shema and prayer. During the winter when nights are long and days are short, one can pray early just like on weekdays.

Regarding an afternoon nap on Shabbat, the Alter Rebbe wrote that if one is accustomed to an afternoon nap on weekdays, they should not forgo it on Shabbat because it is a pleasure for them. And after sleeping, one must establish a study session to learn Torah in public gatherings.

The Pleasure of Sleep for a Person of Intellect

This concept that on Shabbat there should be physical pleasure in material matters in their simple sense is more readily understood by a simple person. However, when discussing a "person of intellect," whose pleasure is invested in more elevated matters, they need to work on themselves so that on Shabbat the concept of pleasure penetrates even to physical pleasure in material matters in their simple sense. Since for such a person, their pleasure is expressed in matters of wisdom and intellect, in resolving doubts, and so forth, when discussing pleasure in physical matters - eating, drinking, sleeping, and the like - this represents a descent from their usual state and level. Therefore, when discussing the pleasure of Shabbat, they argue that they derive pleasure from Torah study, the inner dimensions of Torah (Chassidic teachings), or Torah study in general (especially since "the Torah was given on Shabbat"), so what place is there for deriving pleasure from sleep on Shabbat! How can one utilize such a holy day for sleep?!

The Rebbe explains that indeed when discussing the pleasure of Shabbat in eating and drinking - although the pleasure itself in eating and drinking is a matter of descent for such a person - during the eating and drinking, they can think about the sparks of holiness found in fatty meat and aged wine, which are more elevated than the sparks of holiness found in ordinary meat and wine (despite the fact that even then, they are told that the main pleasure on Shabbat should be physical pleasure from the material meat and wine in their simple sense, not from the sparks of holiness within them). But when discussing sleep - during sleep one is unable to do anything. When going to sleep, one can think and contemplate that they are doing so to fulfill the mitzvah of Shabbat pleasure, but during sleep itself, one cannot do anything. Thus, certainly the pleasure in sleep is considered a descent from their usual state and level!

The Rebbe added that this point is particularly emphasized when discussing pleasure in sleep for an extended period of time, meaning not just the measure of 60 breaths but for a longer period. And all this - despite the fact that sleep in general is one-sixtieth of the opposite of life. From this, it is understood that pleasure in sleep is considered a descent from one's usual state and level.

Although when a person's divine service is proper, sometimes elevated matters are revealed to them during sleep, to the extent that there is a book "Responsa from Heaven" whose content consists of answers from heaven that were revealed through questions during sleep (and there are matters in which halachic rulings are based on what is explained in the book "Responsa from Heaven") - in addition to the fact that questions during sleep are relevant only to a very elevated level, this matter is not dependent on one's choice; the question indeed depends on the person, but the answer given from above is not dependent on their choice at all. And since the concept of Shabbat pleasure needs to be expressed in physical pleasure through eating, drinking, and sleep in their simple sense, this is more readily understood by a simple person than by a "person of intellect," who needs to find a way to influence themselves to enjoy physical things.

The Self-Nullification During Sleep on Shabbat

The Rebbe explains that for a "person of intellect," this is accomplished through self-nullification, meaning, since they are a "faithful servant," knowing that there is a command that on Shabbat one must derive pleasure from physical things in their simple sense, they influence themselves (through contemplation, etc.) to enjoy physical pleasure in its simple sense. This means: The pleasure of Shabbat is so lofty that it extends and penetrates even into physical matters connected with bodily pleasure in its simple sense.