Sleep, in the Jewish mystical mythology, is not just a time for physical rest. The soul returns to its Maker, who keeps it for rejuvenation. The moment of waking is the return of the soul to the body. If the Almighty decides not to return your soul, you don’t wake up.
There is even a special prayer said upon waking up that thanks the Almighty for rejoining body and soul for another day. I find the idea of having my spirit buffed up, the dust shaken off it, setting it up for a new day a wonderfully relaxing one.
Sometimes, when I can’t sleep, I imagine the Almighty searching around, having misplaced a group of 40 souls like I misplace my keys. Finally, the souls are found, accidentally dropped behind a random divine thought. They are lovingly picked up, and 40 insomniacs drift off to sleep at last.
–Quinn McDonald is a certified creativity coach who writes and sleeps through her own dreams.
QuinnCreative 
Perhaps I’ll need to be noisier tonight, so as not to be misplaced to the extent I have been these past few nights. I’m thinking that if I get loud it’ll make it easier to find me and send me on my way to the much-needed Land of Nod.
Sweet dreams…..
what is the text of the Jewish prayer to be said upon awakening? I love this post. Thank you for it. Jeanne Cronin, Cambridge MA
I posted them for Susannah, right below.
Thank you Quinn–this is simply beautiful, a lovely, comforting image to hang on to on those anxious nights. And, I mean “comforting” in the true sense of the world: com=with; fort=strength, that is, comfort is not just cuddling up with something soft and cozy, but you are given strength to deal with difficult things. It is good to think about having my spirit buffed up, and the dust shaken off; I find it very, well, comforting. So,again, thank you. Can you tell me/us the prayer of which you spoke?
For religious Jews, morning prayers start before you get out of bed. In Jewish life there is a blessing for everything–upon awakening, upon washing your hands, even upon smelling spices. The day begins with a series of prayers to be said before dawn and as dawn arrives– of thanks and commitment to treat others kindly. When you wake up, before you get out of bed, you pray: “I thank you, living and eternal Creator for re-uniting my body and soul for compassion. Great is your faithfulness.” And “The Soul you have given me, O God, is a whole one. You have created and formed it and breathed it into me. You watch over it within me, but one day You will take it from me and restore it to me in the Time to Come.” “Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, Creator of the universe, who forms light and creates darkness, who makes peace and creates all things. Blessed art Thou, who forms the light.” And ” Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, Creator of the universe, who gave the heart understanding to distinguish between day and night.”
I’m increasingly fascinated by where we gobin our sleeping hours. And the return to THIS world, arriving back, either slowly, or with a jolt, each morning. Here’s a recent experience;
http://krystyna-rawicz.blogspot.com/2012/10/pale-blue-egg.html
I had not heard before the Jewish mystic idea that the soul returns to it’s maker. I like it!
Love both your poem and the image that goes with it. It has a special kind of comfort.
This is a very comforting thought for a chronic insomniac! Temporarily misplaced; works for me! Thank you for this!
You are welcome. I find the idea very comforting.