A Dream with Grandma: Navigating a Path to Torah Study

Hello,

I have been a baalat teshuva for several years now, thank God, and I am a mother of four wonderful boys.

My return to faith began thanks to my husband, who comes from a secular background. He started exploring Judaism and found truth in it. It wasn’t easy for me, and we argued a lot about it.

Meanwhile, our son was born, and when he turned three, my husband wanted him to attend a Talmud Torah. I was absolutely against it. My husband convinced me to at least visit the Talmud Torah. I put on a head covering and a suitable skirt and went with him. Honestly, I didn't like what I saw. It didn’t fit my lifestyle, or the way I usually dress without a head covering. Plus, the children seemed so religious. How would he fit in?

It was very difficult because my husband was pressing hard, while I wanted to send him to a typical religious school. I realized this was a crossroads that would greatly affect our child's future. Would he make a living this way? I wasn't keen on a life devoted entirely to Torah study alone. Where was academics and career building?

That evening, it was the eve of Shabbat, I looked to the heavens and spoke with Hashem. I asked for guidance since I knew nothing and only He knows what’s best for us. I asked for a sign that enrolling my child in Talmud Torah was indeed the right path.

That night, I dreamt of walking into a grand celebration hall, everyone dressed festively, holding prayer books. In the center stood an ark with a Torah scroll. I opened it and saw my late grandmother, may she rest in peace, the mother of my father who had passed away several years prior. She was joyful and holding my hands, saying how happy she was that her great-grandson would study in Talmud Torah, how much it would mean to her. We danced together in great joy.

I woke up startled, and just started crying. The dream felt so real. My husband didn’t understand why I was so emotional. I told him I had asked for a sign about our son's education and that Hashem had sent my grandmother in my dream to tell me it was the right path for him.

It goes without saying that we enrolled our son in Talmud Torah. I grew closer and closer to the faith, and thank God today we are a religious family with four sons studying in Talmud Torah. God willing.