A Refined Routine for Retiring
People often ask me why improper thoughts suddenly pop into their heads in the midst of the Morning Prayers. This question is exacerbated by the fact that these people often wake up very early to pray with a minyan. They pray slowly and thoughtfully and often remain to hear a Torah shiur.
Why, then, do foreign thoughts fill their minds, first thing in the morning?
In response, I ask a pointed question of my own: “Did you go to sleep after spending time watching television? Were you immersed in a trashy novel, containing immorality? Did you think improper thoughts as you drifted off to sleep?”
Any of the above-mentioned activities is a sure way of muddling one’s thoughts on the morrow. The defilement of the night lingers in one’s mind the next morning. These thoughts are most liable to disturb his prayers and holy endeavors.
For this reason, Chazal advise (Mishnah Berurah 238:1) that one should retire after reading words of Torah. This will result in clear and pure thoughts upon arising. One’s prayers and Torah study will thus be free of all filth.
