Nonetheless, there is another dimension of consideration to our original question. Although the Chayei Adam would allow speaking after the beracha of Ha’mapil, he agrees that one should not converse after reciting the paragraph of Shema. This is made clear by the Rema (239:1) who writes that one should not eat, drink or speak after reciting Shema before going to bed, but rather one should attempt to go straight to sleep. As support, the Rema quotes the verse in Tehilim (4:5), “Imru bi’livavchem al mishkavchem v’domu selah” (recite in your heart on your beds and then be silent). The Talmud (Brochos 4b) interprets the pasuk as follows: Imru bi’livavchem “, recite Shema (where the phrase “in your heart” appears), al mishkavchem, as you are about to retire to bed, v’domu selah, and remain silent. Thus, it is inappropriate to speak after reciting Shema, irrespective of whether one is permitted to speak after Ha’mapil. (However, the poskim allow speaking in cases of necessity since this will not result in a beracha livatala.) The Rema adds that just as speaking is restricted, one should not eat or drink after reciting Shema. We can now rephrase our original question. Does the imperative of v’domu selah (remain silent after reciting Shema) restrict all activity, including reading as well? Divrei Shalom (6:35) assumes that reading without enunciating the words is permissible since it does not entail physical activity. On the other hand, Mishne Halachos 6:35 writes that v’domu selah implies that one should go to sleep immediately after reciting Shema. If one cannot fall asleep, it is preferable to repeat Shema a number of times until one dozes off, but if that is not effective, one may study Torah without verbalization of the words. Shochav Kiairi (pages 150-151) allows studying Torah even as a first option.
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