Why Do Amish Sleep With A Board Between Them

The Amish community is known for its simple, traditional lifestyle that emphasizes humility, community, and faith. One of the distinctive practices observed by many Amish couples is sleeping with a board or plank placed between them in bed. This custom often sparks curiosity among outsiders who wonder about its origin, purpose, and significance. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this practice, its cultural and religious roots, and what it reveals about Amish values.

Understanding Amish Sleeping Arrangements

The Amish typically favor modesty and separation of spouses during sleep. Unlike modern Western beds where couples often cuddle or sleep close together, many Amish couples sleep with a board or plank between them. This practice is not universal across all Amish communities but is prevalent enough to warrant explanation. The primary motives revolve around maintaining moral discipline, upholding religious beliefs, and preserving personal boundaries rooted in their faith and cultural traditions.

The Religious Foundations of Amish Practices

The Amish are Anabaptists who prioritize living according to biblical principles. Their lifestyle choices, including sleeping arrangements, are often influenced by their interpretation of scripture, emphasizing modesty, purity, and separation from worldly influences. The practice of sleeping with a board between spouses can be seen as a physical reminder to uphold these values.

Reasons Behind Sleeping with a Board Between Amish Couples

• Maintaining Moral Purity: One of the core reasons for the use of a board is to prevent temptation and maintain moral purity. By physically separating themselves during sleep, couples are less likely to engage in behaviors considered inappropriate or sinful.
• Upholding Modesty and Respect: The Amish place a high value on modesty in all aspects of life. Sleeping with a board acts as a boundary that reinforces respect for one another’s personal space and dignity.
• Preserving Personal Boundaries: Amish teachings emphasize the importance of boundaries within marriage. The board serves as a symbol of mutual respect and a reminder to maintain a wholesome relationship free from unnecessary intimacy during rest hours.
• Preventing Unwanted Intimacy: Some Amish couples choose this practice to avoid unintentional intimacy that might lead to emotional or physical complications outside of marriage’s boundaries.
• Community and Cultural Expectations: The practice is also influenced by community standards that promote a lifestyle of simplicity and discipline. It is often seen as a way to uphold community standards and reinforce shared values.

Practical Aspects of Using a Board

The board used between Amish spouses is typically a simple wooden plank, sometimes about a foot high, placed along the length of the bed. It’s designed not to be uncomfortable but to serve as a clear physical boundary. In some cases, couples may also use a quilt or blanket as a barrier, but the board remains the most common choice. This setup allows for sleeping close enough to share warmth and companionship but still maintains a physical separation that aligns with their religious beliefs.

Is This Practice Universal Among the Amish?

While many Amish communities adopt this custom, it is not a universal practice across all Amish groups. Variations depend on regional customs, individual community standards, and personal convictions. Some Amish couples may choose to sleep together without a barrier, especially if their community encourages close companionship. Others may use different methods to uphold the same principles of modesty and boundary-setting.

Exploring the Bible

Several biblical principles underpin the Amish practice of sleeping with a board between spouses:

• 1 Corinthians 7:3-5: "The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer."
  This passage emphasizes mutual respect and the importance of honoring one another, which can be reflected in maintaining appropriate boundaries, including during sleep.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5: "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God."
  The barrier can serve as a physical reminder to exercise self-control and uphold holiness in marriage.
• Romans 13:14: "Rather, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh."
  This verse encourages believers to avoid temptation and focus on spiritual discipline, which can be supported by practices that promote purity and restraint.

Conclusion

The Amish practice of sleeping with a board between spouses is rooted in their deep commitment to biblical principles, modesty, and personal discipline. It serves as a tangible reminder to uphold moral boundaries, respect each other’s dignity, and live a life aligned with their faith. While it may seem unconventional to outsiders, this custom reflects the Amish community’s broader values of simplicity, humility, and spiritual integrity. Understanding this practice offers insight into their way of life, emphasizing that their customs are not arbitrary but are deeply intertwined with their religious convictions and cultural identity.

Heaven Awaits Brothers & Sisters - Stay Steadfast, Shalom

1 Corinthians 2:9 - No eyes have seen and no ears have heard the things that God has prepared for those who love him💙

💛 Your voice matters. Your opinion might be exactly what someone else needs today — share it in the comments 👇