Dreams 

חלומות

Although some Sages are of the opinion that dreams have no substantive meaning, other Sages detailed a long list of examples of dreams and their meaning.  

Rabbi Hanina said: One who sees a well in a dream sees peace…Rabbi Natan said: He has found Torah<footnote data-num="133"/>…Rava said: The well in the dream symbolizes actual life….

The Sages taught: One who sees a reed in a dream should expect wisdom…if he sees many reeds, he should expect understanding…Rabbi Zeira said: Pumpkin, heart of palm, wax, and reed are all a good omen for [a person when they appear in his] dream….  

The Sages taught: Five matters are stated about dreams involving an ox. One who dreams that he ate from its flesh will become wealthy. One who dreams that it gored him will have sons who are Torah scholars, as they [will metaphorically] gore each other in an attempt to better understand Torah. If he dreamed that the ox bit him, suffering is coming to him. If he dreamed that it kicked him, he will have occasion to travel a great distance. If he dreamed that he was riding it, he will rise to prominence…. One who sees a donkey in a dream should anticipate salvation…. 

Concerning one who sees grapes in a dream, if they were white, whether it was in their season or not in their season, it is a good omen. If he sees black grapes, [if it was] in their season, it is a good omen; if it was not in their season, it is a bad omen. Concerning one who sees a white horse in a dream, whether walking or running, it is a good omen for him. If he saw a red horse walking, it is a good omen; if it was running, it is a bad omen. 

Concerning one who sees Ishmael in a dream, his prayer will be heard. But this refers specifically to Ishmael son of Abraham, not a random Arab.<footnote data-num="134"/> Concerning one who sees a camel in a dream, it is an omen that death was decreed on him from Heaven but he was spared from it…. Concerning one who sees Pinhas in a dream, a miracle will be performed on his behalf. Concerning one who sees an elephant [pil] in a dream, miracles [pela’ot] will be performed for him. If he sees multiple elephants in a dream, miracles upon miracles will be performed for him….

Rabbi Hiyya bar Abba said: One who sees wheat in a dream has seen peace…One who sees barley in a dream has received a sign that his iniquities have been taken away…. Concerning one who sees a vine laden with grapes in a dream, his wife will not miscarry…If he sees a planted vine branch, he should anticipate the messiah….  

Concerning one who sees a fig tree in a dream, it is an omen that his Torah is preserved within him…. Concerning one who sees pomegranates in a dream, if they were small, his business will flourish like the [numerous] seeds of a pomegranate; if they were large, his business will increase like a pomegranate. In a case where he saw slices of pomegranates, if he is a Torah scholar he should anticipate Torah…and if he is an ignoramus, he should anticipate mitzvot….  

Concerning one who sees olives in a dream, if they were small, it is an omen that his business will flourish, increase, and be sustainable like olives. These matters are stated only regarding the fruit of an olive tree, but if he sees olive trees, he will have many children…. Some say that one who sees an olive tree in a dream, a good reputation will spread for him…. One who sees olive oil in a dream should anticipate the light of Torah…. Concerning one who sees palm trees [temarim] in a dream, it is a sign that his transgressions have ceased [tamu]….

Rav Yosef says: Concerning one who sees a goat in a dream, his year will be blessed; if he sees many goats, his years will be blessed…. Concerning one who sees myrtle in a dream, his property will be successful. If he does not own property, it is an omen that he will receive an inheritance from elsewhere. Ulla said, and some say that it was taught in a baraita: This is the case only where he saw the myrtle growing in the ground. Concerning one who sees an etrog in a dream, it is a sign that he is honored [hadur]<footnote data-num="135"/> before his Creator…. Concerning one who sees a lulav in a dream, he has but one heart for his Father in Heaven<footnote data-num="136"/>…. One who sees a goose in a dream should anticipate wisdom….

Concerning one who dreams that he entered a large city, his desires will be fulfilled…. Concerning one who shaves his head in a dream, it is a good omen for him; if he shaved his head and his beard, it is a good omen for him and his entire family.... Concerning one who sits in a boat in a dream, if it is a small boat, it is an omen that a good reputation will spread for him; if it is in a large boat, a good reputation will spread for him and his entire family. This applies only if the boat was floating high on the waves…. 

One who ascends to the roof in a dream will ascend to greatness. If he descended, it is an omen that he will descend from the greatness he achieved. Abaye and Rava both said: Once one has ascended to the roof in his dream, he has ascended<footnote data-num="137"/>…. Concerning one who lets blood in a dream, it is an omen that his transgressions have been forgiven….

Concerning one who sees a snake in a dream, it is an omen that his livelihood will be accessible to him. If the snake bit him in his dream, it is an omen that his livelihood will double. If he killed the snake, it is a sign that he will lose his livelihood. <source>(Berakhot 56b) </source>