Dreams in Judaism - Parshat Mikeitz

The Book of Genesis recounts several stories that involve dreams: Jacob sees a ladder with angels ascending and descending,1 Joseph dreams of his ascension to power,2 Pharaoh's steward and baker dream of their separate fates,3 and Pharaoh dreams about years of plenty and famine.4

All these dreams were messages from G‑d. In fact, dreams are the medium through which G‑d would often communicate to the prophets.5

Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi explains that meaningful dreams emanate from a very high spiritual level; a level that completely transcends this physical world and can therefore feature supernatural events that completely defy logic.6

But does this mean that our dreams, too, are messages from G‑d? Should we be frightened by a dream that portends doom?

The Significance of Dreams

Even an ostensibly bad dream can be turned into a good oneMost of our dreams today are not messages from G‑d; they're simply thoughts that are recycled from what occupied our minds during the day.7 Negative dreams experienced after stressful incidents can certainly be attributed to those incidents; they don't foretell anything bad.8

It is a dream's interpretation that actually causes it to be fulfilled. In the words of the Talmud,9 "All dreams follow the mouth." Therefore, if one doesn't have his dream interpreted, it will not be fulfilled.10

In addition, even an ostensibly bad dream can be turned into a good one if it is interpreted in a positive light.11 However, only someone with special intuition and insight can interpret dreams in this way.12

The Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory—was approached numerous times by people who were disturbed by their bad dreams. The Rebbe stated that unless the individual is of exemplary piety, his dreams are not messages from G‑d, and there's no reason to be concerned about them; rather he should simply not think about them.13 Nevertheless, if a person is nervous because of the dream, he should interpret it positively,14 give charity,15 check his tefillin and mezuzot to ensure that they are kosher,16 and/or strengthen his faith in G‑d and the observance of His Torah.17 Certainly if one has already recited the prayer at the time of the Priestly Blessing (see below), the dream has already been transformed to good and there's nothing more to worry about.18

Nevertheless, if a person is troubled by a dream, our Sages have provided various ways to avert any evil decree that the dream may have portended.

Fasting

One who has a bad dream may fast, for fasting has great power to avert potential bad decrees.19 The fast should be accompanied by repentance and disbursement of charity,20 as well as Torah study and prayer.21

This fast is not obligatory;22 if the person is not concerned about the dream and considers it nonsense, he doesn't have to fast,23 especially today when dreams have less import than in earlier generations.24

This fast is observed the day following the occurrence of the dream. In the event that the person is very distressed by the dream, he may fast on that day even if it is Shabbat or a holiday.25 In such a case, however, the person must fast again on the following day to atone for having fasted on a holy day. There are only two days a year when it's forbidden to fast a "dream fast": The day before Yom Kippur26 and Purim.27

If one had a bad dream in the course of a daytime nap, and wishes to fast, he should do so from the moment he arises for the following twelve hours.28

If one had a bad dream about someone else, the dreamer is the one who fasts.29

Fasting has great power to avert potential bad decreesPlease note, that nowadays it is not common custom to fast following bad dreams. Aside for the fact that, as explained earlier, most dreams today are nonsense, in general voluntary fasts are discouraged. See Personal Fast Days for more on this topic.

Hatavat Chalom

Another way to transform a possible bad decree implied by a dream is to do a ceremony called Hatavat Chalom (lit. "making a dream good") on the day following the dream. The ceremony calls for the one who dreamt to go to three friends and recite various verses and prayers responsively.30 This prayer is printed in various prayer books (in the old Chabad siddur [Hebrew-only edition], it can be found on page 377).

If One Doesn't Remember the Dream

One who had a disturbing dream and doesn't remember its details, can "transform" it during the Priestly Blessing. As the kohanim sing before they recite the words of their blessing, a prayer – published in most prayer books – to transform these unknown dreams is recited. If the kohanim do not sing, the prayer may be said while they are saying the words of the blessing.31 The prayer should be completed just before the congregation responds "Amen" to the final blessing, thus the "Amen" is also in response to the individual's prayer.

One who lives in Israel, where the kohanim recite their blessing on a daily basis, should say this prayer immediately following a bad dream which he cannot recall. If one lives outside of Israel, where the kohanim only recite their blessing on the holidays, he should say this prayer when the chazzan says the words of the kohanim's blessing during the repetition of the Amidah.

In addition, everybody should say this prayer when the kohanim give their blessing on the holidays, for we presume that from one holiday to the next everyone probably had a bad dream which they then forgot.32 (See page 352 in the new Chabad prayer book for more details about this prayer.)

Vows Made During a Dream

If one recalls making a vow during the course of a dream, it is possible that it is a vow that G‑d is instructing him to make. He therefore should not disregard it, instead he should have it annulled.33 If possible, he should gather ten people (who at least know how to read Chumash) in order to perform the annulment ceremony.34 If one cannot do this, it is sufficient to annul it before a quorum of three.35 Even if the vow was annulled in the dream, he still must annul it as above, for it is possible that the first part of the dream had significance and the end of it did not.36

Excommunicated in a Dream

When ten men are gathered, the Shechinah is presentIf a person dreams that he's been excommunicated, he must gather ten Torah scholars to annul the excommunication37; it is possible that this was a message that G‑d was excommunicating him,38 and when ten men are gathered, the Shechinah is present and the excommunication can be annulled.39

Good Dreams

The following nocturnal visions are considered positive signs40: A well, a river, a bird, a kettle, a donkey, a white horse, Ishmael the son of Abraham, Phinehas, King David, King Solomon, an elephant with a saddle, wheat, barley, a grapevine laden with grapes, a fig, a pomegranate, olives, an olive tree, dates, goats, a myrtle branch attached to its tree, a citron, a palm frond, a goose, chickens, or seeing oneself receiving a haircut, seeing one's jawbone fall out, having a boat ride, saying the Shema, responding to kaddish, or putting on tefillin.

One should look forward to the fulfillment of a good dream up to 22 years afterwards. We learn this from Joseph, whose dreams were only realized after 22 years.41

Torah Insights Revealed

There are many recorded incidents of great Torah scholars who had Torah insights revealed to them in their dreams. Generally one may only decide halachic questions based on existing Torah sources, not on divine revelation; nevertheless, if the ruling received in a dream does not contradict those sources, some consider it valid. In fact, there was a Tosafist by the name of Rabbi Yaakov of Marosh who asked many questions via shaylat chalom, i.e., a question posed to G‑d for which one hopes to receive a response during a dream. Rabbi Yaakov received 89 responses via dreams; he recorded them and they are published under the title: Shailot U'teshuvot min Hashamayim ("Responsa from Heaven").42

Instructions Received During a Dream

If someone received instruction during a dream regarding ownership of his property or similar matters, he's not obliged to comply.43 Nevertheless, we find that some rabbis heeded the advice they received in dreams.44

Footnotes

Genesis 28:12 (see Ohr Hachaim on the verse).

Ibid., 37:7-9.

Ibid., 40:5-23.

Ibid., 41:1-38.

Numbers 12:6.

Torah Ohr 28c. This is one of the reasons why galut (exile) is referred to as a dream (Psalms 126:1): because during this time, despite our nation's spiritual slumber, we can achieve tremendous ascension in holiness.

Peleh Yo'etz entry Chalom. The Aruch Hashulchan also writes (Orach Chaim 288) that nowadays the average person's dreams are meaningless, and are no reason for concern.

Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 288:7.

Berachot 55b.

10.

Ibid., 55a.
Nevertheless, although a dream that's not interpreted is not fulfilled, one might still want to take the steps described in this article for one of the following reasons:
a) In some cases, the interpretation of the dream is self-evident and doesn't require interpreting (see Iyun Yaakov on Berachot 55a). b) The person might have interpreted the dream himself (see Me'am Loez, vol. 4 pg. 242). If the interpretation was negative, he would want to reverse that. 3) If the dream is not interpreted, it has neither a positive nor a negative impact. But by following the steps described in this article, the dream actually be transformed into good.

11.

See Talmud, Berachot 55b where this is discussed at length.

12.

Me'am Loez on Genesis 40:21 (vol. 4 pg. 350).

13.

Igrot Kodesh vol. 7 pgs. 290-291.

14.

Ibid., vol. 16 pg. 65.

15.

Ibid., vol. 20 pg. 62.

16.

Ibid., vol. 15 pg. 277.

17.

Ibid., vol. 20 pg. 203.

18.

Ibid., vol. 15 pg. 191.

19.

Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch, ibid., 3 (from Talmud, Shabbat 11a and Berachot 31b).

20.

Peleh Yo'etz, ibid.

21.

Mishnah Berurah 288:7.

22.

Responsa of the Rashba 132.

23.

Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch, ibid 7.

24.

Peleh Yo'etz, ibid.

25.

The fasting is then considered pleasurable as it relieves him of his stress (Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch, ibid 3). But see there (se'if 7) that some say one should not fast on Shabbat unless one has had certain specific bad dreams listed there.

26.

Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch, ibid., 604:1.

27.

Mishna Berurah 695:6. (But see there and Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch, ibid., that one may fast until the afternoon on these days as well.)

28.

Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 288:12.

29.

Sefer Chassidim 444.

30.

Talmud, Berachot 55b; Code of Jewish Law, Orach Chaim 320.

31.

Tosafot d.h. Kol on Sotah 40a.

32.

Berachot, ibid., and Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch, ibid., 130.

33.

Someone once dreamt that he had vowed to pay back a loan by a certain date (earlier than the agreed-upon due date). The Radvaz (vol. 4 no. 1170) ruled that he had to fulfill the vow and was not to annul it. Since paying back a loan is a mitzvah, and G‑d has encouraged him to do this mitzvah, he should not shirk his obligation. (If the lender forgave him, however, then he would be absolved from paying by that date.)

34.

Interestingly, this is the reason why many have the custom to annul their vows on the eve of Rosh Hashanah before ten people (despite that fact that ordinary vows may be annulled by three) —in case they made a vow during a dream which they subsequently forgot (Mateh Efraim 581 49).

35.

Code of Jewish Law, Yoreh Deah 210:2, with Taz 4.

36.

Ibid., Shach 4.

37.

Code of Jewish Law, ibid., 334:35, from Nedarim 8a.

38.

He must seek annulment even if he also dreamed that the excommunication was annulled, as that may have been a meaningless part of the dream (Shach 52 on Yoreh Deah ibid.).

39.

Ran d.h. Nidahu on Nedarim ibid.

40.

Talmud, ibid 55b-57b (See there for the interpretations and meanings of these visions, as well as for many others).

41.

Talmud, Berachot 55b. – 57b (see ther

42.

For more information about a shaylat chalom and the validity of Halachic rulings rendered in a dream, see the introduction of Rabbi Reuven Margaliyot to the abovementioned book of responsa (published by Mosad HaRav Kook, Jerusalem).

43.

Talmud, Sanhedrin 30a, see also Gittin 52a.

44.

Talmud, Horayot 13b.

By Aryeh Citron

Rabbi Aryeh Citron was educated in Chabad yeshivahs in Los Angeles, New York, Israel and Australia. He was the Rosh Kollel of The Shul of Bal Harbour, Florida, and is now an adult Torah teacher in Surfside, Florida. He teaches classes on Talmud, Chassidism, Jewish history and contemporary Jewish law.

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21 Comments

anonymous July 10, 2023

if dreams are from our thoughts, then why don't I dream about a lot of the thoughts that I frequently think? Reply

anonymous July 10, 2023

is there an english translation of Shailot U'teshuvot min Hashamayim ("Responsa from Heaven"). Reply

Sophie Brooklyn February 9, 2022

Had a weird dream 2/3 yrs ago.I remember it was rosh chodesh and i had the dream right before I woke up.
In my dream, i was called back to work from my boss right before shabbat started and he wanted me to package some items before weekend.After some reluctance i went.
Suddenly, some middle aged women(never seem befre) from the back door knocked. She was wearing all purple, and a neutral face (not smiling nor looked upset). She held a small plate w a lit candle and told me mashiach wants to come. Told her ok so let him come. She then disappeared and reappeared through a diff back side door. She knocked again and i answered. She told me the same thing, while holding the lit candle. Told her let him come. I was getting annoyed. The third time, she came thro same door as 2nd, held candle, told me mashiach ben eliezer wants to come and she blew out the candle. Told her let him come. I woke up after
But i dnt know what this all means. Reply

Anonymous August 3, 2020

is "Shailot U'teshuvot min Hashamayim" available in english? Reply

Stacy McCall Grants Pass July 17, 2020

Hi, I find this so interesting. I've been trying to find out about my dream or nightmare...I am not Jewish but, had a very intense dream that has kept me unnerved. I dreamt I was hovering over the SF bay. To my left is a Holy Man all in black with curls in front of his ears and beard. The water is all the way up to skyscrapers that are on fire, cars are floating. I asked what happened ? He explained that there was an earthquake in the Monterey bay. It caused an avalanche in the canyon and a tsunami. There is a lot of destruction. I asked when this would happen and he said soon. I cried in my dream. We prayed together in a language that I don't know but, in my dream I knew it. I am so scared by this dream. I don't want it to happen but , fear it will... Reply

Jose Washington June 7, 2020

Hi. I am looking information about a dream that I have been sporadically experiencing during the last couple of years, being last night the most recent one. To begin with, I am not Jewish by faith and don't have any immediate Jewish relatives in my family, although, based on my ancestry test the Jewish genes run through my blood. Well, said that, I have been dreaming with a Tallit, either holding it or wearing it. In one occasion I dreamt that I was with a group of men dressed in black suit and wearing a white Tallit with black stripes. In another occasion, I dreamt on secretly hiding a beautiful white Tallit with blue and golden stripes because I needed to move it to a place where the Tallit was considered restricted. I am pretty sure that my dreams mean something or that G-d wants to tell me something through them. As many people, I tried to google for an answer, but couldn't find any, so, any wise advise would be fantastic to hear about. Thanks! Reply

Priscilla November 13, 2020

in response to Jose:

God is probably trying to tell you to discover and act upon your jewish identity! Reply

DEBORAH SCOTT WASHINGTON February 6, 2019

I'm not Jewish by faith. My grandmother was. I don't know much about it. Last night I dreamt a well known soccer player showed me a very old Torah he had purchased and scroll down to 17 something. Does this mean something? Also, this soccer player is not Jewish. Reply

Rivkah Tenafly November 6, 2019

in response to DEBORAH SCOTT:

Was your grandmother your mother's mother? If so, you are Jewish and you'll want to ask a Chabad rabbi what you should do. Reply

Joseph5716 Connecticut August 29, 2018

Not sure how to start,I had a dream last night about the Rebbe.I remember him calling me by my name and was shocked that he knew my name...somewhere near the ocean...it was some type of speaking engagement....remember being shown a curtain and asked to come behind.Thats all I can remember except a peacefull feeling and wonder that he used my name.Sitting here this afternoon wondering what that was all about. Reply

Michael May 14, 2018

One is also not permitted to observe a dream fast on Shavous. Likkutei Sichos Geula Umashiach Bamidbar p.1 Reply

thetruthspeaks jerusalem November 18, 2015

Is one able to nullify a bad interpretation of a dream? If so, how? Reply

Anonymous houston September 13, 2014

yes well, thank you for all your nice research! Reply

Watchman Gavriel Orlando,FL May 26, 2014

Tzitzits Last night I dreamed about being ordered to put on my Tzitzits and keep them on, why? Reply

Aryeh Citron Surfside February 25, 2014

Dream interpertation Sorry, but I do not claim to know how to interpret dreams.
That being said, reading from a Torah scroll seems like a positive sign.
A scroll written on both sides is mentioned in Ezekiel 2. Ezekiel then eats the scroll which so I ate, was "as sweet as honey."
The hand scooping you up and depositing you elsewhere also sounds like Ezekiel (chapter 38 or so), who was transported miraculously to Jerusalem to see the future Temple in a prophetic vision.
In any case, if you interpret it positively, it becomes positive. Reply

Sann Hill illinois February 25, 2014

dream First to let you know I enjoy my e-mail from you! I had a dream about a train pulling into a station very close to my home. I saw dead passengers on the train but there were others waiting for the train that still jumped on over the bodies. Coming from behind the train were people with sores on their faces. I remember running back yo my home and who ever was inside would not open the door! Any idea on what this is about.
To Da Reply

Anonymous February 24, 2014

I had a dream in 1983, it was Shabbat, in the dream there was a giant hand that appeared with a scroll in it's hand, and it was like I was a speed reader and I read all night that Erve Shabbat, it was written on front and back, and I was very refreshed Shabbat day, so can you tell me what the dream means?

I also had a dream latter that year and again it was an Erve Shabbat, there was the giant hand that came down, and I was an Oak tree, and the hand picked me up and placed somewhere else, can you please help me with these 2 dreams, to understand what they mean. I have not had anymore of these types of dreams.
Thank you Reply

Anonymous September 16, 2012

Dream about two moons I've had three similar dreams in which I see two heavenly bodies close to each other at the same time, as if were two moons up there, one looked orange and coming out of dark clouds, it looked like a huge moon and passed by the left side of the earth and went away - when it was closer to us it looked pixelated - and then when I took an amount of sand in my hand and noticed it was shaking, we went looking for a higher place in case the earth started swallowing everything.

Should I pay attention to these dreams? Thank you Reply

Anonymous Cape Town February 23, 2012

Dream of a Rebbe Dear Rabbi Citron,

Thank you for a wonderful article.
Is there anything mentioned in Chassidus about having a dream of a Rebbe? Reply

Yitzchok Houston December 23, 2011

Very interesting Thank you. Good research. Reply

ahuva gamliel sunny isles beach, fl April 23, 2010

thank you thanks rabbi citron for posting this interesting and education article

more strength to you! Reply