The Chayei Adam (35:4) and others write that the bracha of Ha’mapil is a bracha of shevach (praise) to G-d for creating the phenomenon of sleep. According to the Chayei Adam, even if one did not fall asleep the entire night, the recitation of Ha’mapil would not be a bracha levatala (a bracha recited in vain) since we are thanking Hashem for the universal gift of sleep. The bracha was instituted when we go to bed because that is when we typically experience sleep, but the bracha is valid even if we do not actually fall asleep. However, the Mishnah Berurah (Beiur Halacha 239, s.v. Samuch) rejected this view and maintained that Ha’mapil is a birchas hanehenin that each person recites on their personal pleasure of sleeping. The Mishnah Berurah brings proof to his position from the language of the bracha, Hamapil chevlai sheina al ainei, He casts bonds of sleep on my eyes. Clearly, “sleep on my eyes” refers to the individual who is reciting the bracha. According to Mishnah Berurah, if one suspects that he will not fall asleep, he should not recite this bracha, because if he does not fall asleep, it will be a bracha levatala, a bracha in vain.
Most classical poskim, such as the Knesses Hagedola, Elya Rabba (239:3) and Pri Megadim (Eishel Avraham 239:3), as well as more recent poskim, including the Be’er Moshe (1:63) and Yabia Omer (OC 8:11:30) share the position of the Chayei Adam. One notable exception is the Chazon Ish (Dinim V’Hanagos 8:8) who concurred with the strict view of the Mishnah Berurah. Rabbi Genack relates that he heard from Rabbi Soloveitchik that Reb Chaim never said Ha'mapil because he was concerned that he would not fall asleep.
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