Watch what you dream of |
In the Talmud, Brachot 57a we learn
about the significance of the Shivat HaMinim, the Seven Species of Israel, when
they appear in our dreams: Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said: One who sees wheat in a dream has seen peace, as it is stated: “He
makes your borders peace; He gives you in plenty the fat of wheat” (Tehilim 147:14). One who sees barley [se’orim] in a dream has received a sign that his iniquities are taken
away, as it is stated: “And your iniquity is taken away [vesar avonekh], and your sin expiated” (Yishayahu 6:7); se’orim is an acronym for sar avon. Rabbi Zeira said: I did not ascend from Babylonia to Eretz
Yisrael until I saw barley in my dream. A vine laden with grapes in a dream is an omen that his wife will not miscarry, as it is stated: “Your wife
shall be as a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of your house” (Tehilim 128:3). One who
sees a planted vine branch in a dream should anticipate the Mashiach, as it is stated: “Binding
his foal unto the vine and his donkey’s colt unto the vine branch” (Breisheet 49:11). A fig tree in a dream is a sign that his Torah is preserved
within him, as it is stated: “One who keeps the fig tree shall eat the fruit
thereof” (Tehilim 27:18). Pomegranates in a dream: If they were small, his business will
flourish like the seeds of the pomegranate,
which are numerous. If they were large, his business will
increase like a pomegranate. One who saw slices of pomegranates in his dream: If he is a Torah scholar, he should anticipate Torah, as it
is stated: “I would cause you to drink of spiced wine, of the juice of my
pomegranate” (Shir HaShirim 8:2), which is traditionally
understood as an allusion to Torah. And if the
dreamer is not learned, he should
anticipate mitzvot, as it is stated: “Your temples are like a split pomegranate”
(Shir HaShirim 4:3). What is the
meaning of the word “Your temples [rakatekh]”? Even the most ignorant [reikanin] among you, Israel, are full of mitzvot like a pomegranate. Olives in a dream: If they
were small, it is a sign that his business will flourish, increase and be durable like
olives. One who sees olive trees, it is
a sign that he will have many children,
as it is stated: “Your children like olive plants, round about
your table” (Tehilim 128:3). Some say that
it is a sign that a good reputation will
spread for him, as it is stated: “The Lord called your name a leafy olive tree, fair with goodly fruit”
(Yirmiyahu 11:16). One who sees olive oil in a
dream should anticipate the light of Torah, as it is stated: “That they bring
unto you pure olive oil beaten for the light” (Shmot 27:20). One who sees palm trees [temarim] in a dream has seen a sign that his transgressions have
ceased, as it is stated: “Your iniquity is finished, O daughter of Zion”
(Eicha 4:22), as the Gemara likens temara, date, to tam ra,
evil has ceased. We see from here that dreams which
include the Seven Species of Israel are omens of good luck. So enjoy your Tu B’Shvat
fruits today and maybe you will dream about them tonight! Tu B’Shavat Sameach and Shabbat
Shalom from Yerushalayim |