The Story of the Paranches: The Secret of the Sweet Sleep of the Servants of Hashem

A moving description of the holiness of the paranches (bleachers) in the Beis Midrash, which are saturated with the voices of children and serve as a holy resting place for the servants of Hashem who serve with mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice).

Many wonder why the paranches (bleachers) in the Beis Midrash are so holy. The answer lies in the fact that they are saturated with tens of thousands of recitations of The Tikkun HaKlali and chapters of Tehillim (Psalms) from the mouths of the holy flock (young children). The breath of pure children who are without sin fills the space of the Beis Midrash and sanctifies the simple wood. For someone who has not seen this with their own eyes, it is absolutely impossible to explain and describe the sight.

The Angelic Song of the Holy Flock

Anyone who truly wants to taste the flavor of supernal pleasantness is invited to come every day in the afternoon hours. There, they will be able to hear the angelic song of those holy and pure children, which lasts for two full hours. Fortunate are those who engage in this holy and awesome endeavor, and particularly the dear avreich (Torah scholar) Rabbi Naftali Bick and his dear assistants, who have been engaged in this holy work for many years. "It is impossible to know how many harsh decrees are nullified through these pure prayers," say those who understand the matter.

The Beis HaMoked of Our Days

However, the paranches have another important and hidden role. It is written in Tractate Middos that in the Beis HaMikdash (Holy Temple), there was a place called the "Beis HaMoked" (Chamber of the Hearth), which was surrounded by stone tiers upon which the elders of the paternal family would sleep. Similarly, throughout the twenty-four-hour cycle, the holy paranches transform into a resting place for the servants of Hashem. Precious Jews, who dedicate themselves with mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) to the Torah, catch a quick nap there in order to gather strength to continue their service of Hashem, may He be blessed.

One must know a clear rule: Whoever has not tasted the flavor of sleep on the paranches has never tasted the flavor of sleep in his life. Even though, according to simple logic, a made bed with a mattress, pillows, and blankets is much more comfortable, this is only true for people who have not tasted the flavor of serving Hashem. But the people of the tzaddik, who despise the lusts of the vanities of this world, find their rest specifically there. To sleep on the hard wood of the paranches, after long and exhausting hours of Torah and service—there is nothing sweeter than this, for "sweet is the sleep of the laborer."

From Issue 84 — Parashas Pekudei
From the series "Tzaddik Moshel Yiras Elokim" — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" publications