Some things change (sex and alcohol) and some things remain the same (a good bed) TB Ketubot 65

 With today’s daf TB Ketubot 65 we finish the fifth chapter of our massekhet. This daf shows how much the mores of the Jewish people have changed since the time of the Gemara. There is a general consensus on the daf that women should not drink wine because they cannot handle it; consequently, they become too drunk to say no to sexual advances. “Over twenty years ago, the journalist Helen Benedict in her book Virgin or Vamp described the myth of our culture in which women who drink

too much are "asking for it." I had no idea that the myth could also be found embedded in our Talmud. ” (For the rest of the article about this double standard of drinking see today’s entry in https://www.talmudology.com/)

Another example of how times have changed is the appropriate time to have sex with your partner. The rabbis believed only at night or at least in a darken room. “But didn’t Rav Huna say: The Jewish people are holy and therefore do not engage in sexual relations during the day? The Gemara answers that Rava said: If they are in a dark house, it is permitted to engage in relations even during the day.” (Sefaria.org translation)

Nevertheless, some things never change. A good bed is necessary for a good night sleep. “§ The mishna taught: And he must give her a bed, a soft mat, and a hard mat. The Gemara asks: Why does he need to give her a soft mat and a hard mat if she already has a bed? Rav Pappa said: The mishna is speaking of a place where it is the custom to fill a bed with ropes. Because these ropes cause her suffering and age [mevager] her, she covers them with a mat, which serves as a kind of mattress upon which she can lie in comfort.” (Sefaria.org translation) Think of these ropes as coils in a modern mattress. When the mattress is old and worn, the coils are too close to the surface or even pierce the fabric making the bed impossible to get a good night sleep. You definitely age when you don’t get a good night sleep.

When should you replace your mattress? The Sleep Foundation writes:

Sleep is one of the most important aspects of human health. Without quality sleep, our bodies are not able to heal and rejuvenate themselves, and our brains struggle to process emotions and store memories.

One of the biggest factors in getting a good night’s sleep is the comfort of your mattress. There are few other products that can have such a significant effect on our health and happiness. Therefore, it’s important to invest in the best mattress possible, and replace it according to expert guidelines. But when should you replace your mattress?

Under normal conditions, mattresses should be replaced every 6 to 8 years.

Of course, this is a general guideline and not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are various factors that influence when you should replace your mattress.

Generally speaking, you should replace your mattress if one or more of the following apply:

·         It’s 6-8+ years old

·         It’s negatively affecting your sleep

·         It’s noticeably saggy or damaged in certain areas

·         It’s making more noise than usual (noisy springs are common in old innerspring mattresses)

·         You find that you sleep better at hotels, friends’ houses, etc.

·         You notice an increase in allergies and/or asthma

·         You regularly wake up with muscle or joint stiffness

Essentially, you should replace your bed if it’s no longer helping you get restful sleep. There’s no clear-cut way to know for sure whether it’s time for a new bed – but generally speaking, if you’re thinking about a new bed, it’s likely worthwhile to make the investment sooner rather than later. (https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-information/when-should-you-replace-your-mattress#:~:text=But%20when%20should%20you%20replace,every%206%20to%208%20years.)