Q&A: Sleep Direction in Modern Research and in the Sages
Sleep Direction in Modern Research and in the Sages
Question
Hello Rabbi,
Recently I came across a video in which someone claims that there is modern research recommending that a bed be placed along a north-south axis rather than east-west. The title of the study is: “Bedroom Design Orientation and Sleep Electroencephalography Signals.” In the study’s conclusion they write:
The present study findings provide evidence that bed orientation influences sleep EEG signals and sleeping toward the EMF (N-S) can have some positive effects on the sleep EEG.
It immediately reminded me of the Talmud in Berakhot 5b:
It was taught: Abba Benjamin says, “All my life I was troubled over two things: that my prayer should be before my bed, and that my bed should be placed between north and south.” “That my prayer should be before my bed” — what does “before my bed” mean? If you say it means literally in front of my bed — but Rav Yehudah said in the name of Rav, and some say Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: From where do we know that one who prays should not have anything intervening between himself and the wall? As it is said: “And Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed.” So do not say “before my bed,” but rather say: near my bed. “And that my bed should be placed between north and south” — for Rabbi Hama son of Rabbi Hanina said in the name of Rabbi Yitzhak: Anyone who places his bed between north and south will have male children, as it is said: “And whose treasure fills their bellies; they are satisfied with sons.” Rav Nahman bar Yitzhak said: Moreover, his wife will not miscarry; for here it is written, “And whose treasure fills their bellies,” and there it is written, “And when her days to give birth were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.”
I wanted to ask you about this: is this just a coincidence? Or perhaps the Sages had special insights into human nature?
Best regards,
Answer
A priori, I don’t have much confidence in studies like these. Even if there is something to it (and I assume there isn’t), in my estimation the correspondence with the Talmud is coincidental.
Discussion on Answer
What does a rabbi understand about anatomy anyway, and life itself? Most of them are complete ignoramuses and uneducated, period!
According to feng shui, you absolutely have to sleep with your head facing north — that’s just how it is — and the Chinese are an ancient and wise people no less than the Jewish people, and this has already been the case for hundreds of years, so any research by anyone versed in the depths of feng shui is completely serious!
This is a study with 21 participants. There are serious reporting problems, including an almost complete absence of demographic data about the participants. Nothing is said about randomization of the participants into the two treatment conditions (sleeping “with” or “against” the direction of the earth’s magnetic field). The data-analysis methodology looks almost arbitrary. The journal in which it was published does not appear in any academic journal database that I know of, was founded in 2014, and operates on a pay-to-play model, which does nothing for its reputation.
In short, I’m with the Rabbi++. I’m completely skeptical of this study in particular.