Understanding Dreams: Jewish Perspectives on Their Meaning

1. Our sages say that a dream is one-sixtieth of prophecy. However, the Talmud clearly explains that dreams resulting from one's daily thoughts, stress, exhaustion, or poor nutrition are insignificant. Today, with city life full of hustle and bustle, constant global news of disasters, and the pervasive feeling that calamity might befall anyone, many experience mental stress. Depression is now the number one illness in the Western world, a phenomenon not present in Talmudic times. Therefore, most dreams today should not be given much importance or significance.

2. Prominent Jewish scholars of recent generations have greatly minimized the significance of dreams today, advising not to regard them seriously, even to the extent of fasting because of a dream, and have relaxed the rules concerning the rectification of dreams.

3. In the Talmud, it is said: "Dreams neither benefit nor harm," meaning most dreams do not have real impact, and generally "a person dreams only of what is in their heart." The purpose of fasting or rectifying dreams is to ease one's soul from distress.

4. Even if a dream might be true, the details usually aren't accurate, making it difficult to distinguish what's real.

5. What is the purpose of dreams, then? To strengthen and awaken a person. As Elihu the Buzite said to Job: "In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men while they slumber on their beds, He opens the ears of men, and seals their instructions, to turn a man from his actions, and hide pride from a person, to save his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword." (Job 33:15-18)

Often, dreams serve as warnings or promises. This is why the Zohar delves much into dream interpretation, with many interpretations found in the Talmudic tractate Berachot, chapter nine.

What is the source of our dreams? What elements influence our dreams? Can dreams foresee the future? What can one learn about their soul from a dream? How does one distinguish between a real dream and an illusion?Rabbi Zamir Cohen's fascinating lecture addresses these questions:

6. The sages taught that "dreams follow the mouth," indicating that the interpretation given to a dream can determine the outcome, for better or worse. If someone is worried about a dream, they should tell a friend and ask for a positive interpretation.

7. If one has a disturbing dream, they should recite the "dream rectification" formula as soon as possible in front of three people, ideally those they love (the formula is found in prayer books). Alternatively, during the priestly blessing in Shacharit, one should recite a specific blessing (aiming to conclude as the priests finish saying "shalom" so the congregation's "amen" includes their personal prayer).

8. Dream rectification formula:

Master of the Universe, I am Yours and my dreams are Yours. I dreamed, and I do not know what it is. May it be Your will, Hashem, my God and the God of my ancestors, that all my dreams about me and all Israel be for good, whether I dreamed about myself, others, or others dreamed about me. If they are good, strengthen them and fulfill them, just like Joseph's dreams. If they need healing, heal them like Hezekiah from his illness, Miriam from her leprosy, Naaman from his leprosy, and the waters of Marah through Moses our Teacher, and as Jericho's waters through Elisha. And just as You turned Balaam's curses to blessings, may You turn all my dreams about me and all Israel to good, and keep me, be gracious to me, and will to me. Amen.

9. Additionally, one should increase charity and the recitation of Psalms for atonement.

Reflection on interpreting dreams. Once someone has dreamed and senses a message, how do they cope? How can one prevent bad dreams? The sages advise telling a dream to a friend to obtain a good interpretation. If told to an enemy who interprets negatively, the person brought it upon themselves. Also: someone who trains themselves to wish well fulfills a commandment from the Torah. Rabbi Zamir Cohen in part two on dreams. Watch:

10. If someone regularly experiences unsettling dreams, they should observe these measures to prevent bad dreams:

A. Firstly, say the Krias Shema before sleep complete with "Birchas Hamapil," as besides being an obligation, it can prevent bad dreams (Yabia Omer, part four, page 140, note).

B. Before going to bed, say: "If any dreams come to me this night, I do not wish to fast tomorrow for this reason or any other, whatever may happen." This is a segula (spiritual remedy) to prevent negative dreams (Sefer "Segulot Yisrael," chapter H, section 23 in the short version of Shlah, Tractate Shabbat).

C. Check the mezuzahs of the house and room to ensure they are valid, since invalid mezuzahs might allow harmful entities to cause bad dreams (Sefer "Dibrei Chalomot," page 142).

D. Avoid placing your hand on your heart or thigh during sleep to prevent distressing dreams, God forbid (Sefer "Segulot Yisrael," chapter Shin, section 33).

From where do dreams arise? Can a dream predict the future? What does it mean if deceased relatives appear in dreams? What does science think about it, and what is the Jewish and Kabbalistic perspective? Watch Rabbi Zamir Cohen's captivating lecture:

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