daf bit: B'rachot 57

[cellio]

The g'mara has been discussing the interpretation of dreams for a couple pages. Today's daf includes discussion of symbols of piety, wisdom, and punishment (among others). Our rabbis taught: there are three kings important for dreams -- if one sees David he may look forward to piety; Solomon, he may look forward to wisdom; Ahab, let him fear for punishment. There are three prophets significant for dreams: if he sees Ezekiel, he may look forward to wisdom; Isaiah, he may look forward to consolation; Jeremiah, let him fear for punishment. There are three larger books: the book of Psalms is a sign of piety; Proverbs, wisdom; Job, punishment. There are three smaller books: Song of Songs is a sign of piety; Kohelet, wisdom; Lamentations, punishment. And further, one who sees the scroll of Esther will have a miracle wrought for him. There are three sages: if he sees Rabbi, he may look forward to wisdom; Eleazar b. Azariah, he may look forward to riches; and R. Yishmael b. Elisha, let him fear for punishment. There are three disciples: if he sees Ben 'Azzai he may look forward to piety; Ben Zoma, wisdom; Acher (that is, Elisha b. Abuyah, a famous apostate), punishment. (57b)

I'm guessing that the dream would have to tell you who you're seeing; I doubt anybody knows what, say, Ben Zoma looked like.

Comments

[hlinspjalda.livejournal.com]

Sometimes in a dream you just know who someone is even though you've never met them. Sometimes even if you already know what they look like and they don't look like that in the dream, you still know who they are.

Or, at least, that's how my dreams work.

Last night it was Jim Morrisson. Wonder what he means? ;-D