Rav Haim Palachi (Izmir, Turkey, 1788-1869), in his work Kaf Ha’haim (3:11), describes the feelings of regret that many people will experience upon leaving this world, when they will no longer have the ability to see. They will bemoan the fact that during their time in this world, when they had the opportunity to use their eyes for Torah study, they instead used them for sleeping. Rather than arising early in the morning and staying awake late at night engaged in Torah study, many people allow themselves the comfort of arising late and going to sleep early. Rav Haim advises that a person should "distance himself from death" as much as possible during his lifetime, by limiting his sleep and using his time constructively, by learning Torah.
He cites in this context a comment of the Zohar concerning a verse in Tehillim (104:1) in which King David exclaims, "Bless God, my soul!" The Zohar explains that David made this exclamation upon contemplating the strict judgment to which a person is subjected once he leaves this world. David then said to himself, "Bless God," meaning, that he must take advantage of the opportunity he has during his lifetime to praise God. Indeed, toward the end of this chapter, King David proclaims, "I shall sing to God during my life; I shall sing praise to my God while I still exist." A person must realize that his time in this world is limited, and thus ensure not to waste it by indulging in sleep and other vanities.
Several passages later (3:14), Rav Haim Palachi cites the Halachic precept, "Ha’ba Le’horgecha – Hashkem Le’horgo." According to the plain interpretation, this means, "One who comes to kill you – act quickly to kill him." The Sages here establish the rule allowing a person to kill somebody who tries to kill him. Additionally, however, Rav Haim explained this comment as a reference to the Yeser Hara (evil inclination), which tries to kill a person spiritually. The way to combat the Yeser Hara, the Sages here teach, is "Hashkem L’horgo," which can be read to mean, "Arise early to kill him." We can resist the Yeser Hara’s efforts to lead us to sin by arising early in the morning for prayer and Torah study, rather than allowing ourselves the luxury of staying in bed. It therefore behooves us to limit our sleeping hours to whatever extent possible, so that we ensure to capitalize on the limited opportunity we have during our lifetime to pray and study Torah.
