PAST CYCLE DEDICATION

BERACHOS 56 (16 Nisan) - Today's Dafyomi study material has been sponsored by Mrs. Reva Ehrlich, who presently resides in Yerushalayim, in memory of her husband, the Chazan Rav Moshe ben Shalom Ehrlich, A"H, a distinguished Shliach Tzibbur and teacher of Torah.
1)

PEOPLE DREAM About WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT DURING THE DAY

אמר ליה קיסר לרבי יהושע בן חנניא אמריתו חכמיתו טובא אימא לי מאי חזינא בחלמאי. אמר ליה חזית דאתו פרסאי דמשחרי לך ורעו בך שקצי בחוטרא דדהבא. הרהר כוליה יומא ולאורתא חזא. א"ל שבור מלכא לשמואל אמריתו חכמיתו טובא אימא לי מאי חזינא בחלמאי. א"ל חזית דאתו רומאי ושבו לך וטחנו בך קשיאתה בריחיא דדהבא הרהר (וחזא) [כוליה יומא ולאורתא חזא].
Translation: Kaiser said to R. Yehoshua 'you say that you are exceedingly smart - what will I see in my dreams tonight? He answered, you will see that Meshachrei Lach Parsa'ei, and grazing their disgusting animals with a gold staff. Kaiser thought about this all day, and he dreamed about it at night. Shevor Malka (the Persian king) asked the same to Shmuel. He answered, you will see the Romans capturing you, and making you grind date pits with a gold grinder. Shevor Malka thought about this all day, and he dreamed about it at night.
(a)

What is the significance of 'you say that you are exceedingly smart'?

1.

Etz Yosef citing Semichus Zekenim: We say that a Chacham is better than a Navi. Chachamim can know more than Nevi'im. Daniel knew a past dream - if you are better, you should be able to tell me what I will dream!

(b)

Did R. Yehoshua and Shmuel say about themselves that they are exceedingly smart?!

1.

Etz Yosef citing Semichus Zekenim: No. The kings referred to the Klal 'a Chacham is better than a Navi.'

(c)

What is the meaning of Meshachrei Lach Parsa'ei?

1.

Rashi: Persians will force you to do the king's work. The Targum of "Lo Chamor Echad Mehem Nasasi" (Bamidbar 16:15), is Lo Chamra d'Chad Minhon Shacharis. Chazal said 'cling to a Shachvar, and people will bow to you (Sifri Devarim 6:7).

(d)

Why did R. Yehoshua tell Kaiser that Persians will force him to serve their king?

1.

Rashi: Kaiser was Melech Romi. He was warring with the Persians.

2)

INTERPRETATIONS OF THE DREAMS OF ABAYE AND RAVA

בר הדיא מפשר חלמין הוה מאן דהוה יהיב ליה אגרא מפשר ליה למעליותא ולמאן דלא (הוה) יהיב ליה אגרא מפשר ליה לגריעותא. אביי ורבא חזו חלמא אביי יהיב ליה (אגרא) [זוזא] רבא לא (הוה) יהיב ליה (אגרא) [זוזא]. אמרי ליה אקרינן בחלמין (דברים כח) שורך טבוח לעיניך וגו'. לרבא א"ל פסיד עסקך ולא אהני לך למיכל מעוצבא דלבך. לאביי אמר ליה נפיש עסקך וטבחת ולא אכלת ושתית מחדותא דלבך. אמרי ליה אקרינן (דברים כח) בנים ובנות תוליד וגו'. לרבא א"ל כבישתי'. לאביי א"ל בנך ובנתך נפישין ומנסבן בנתך לעלמא ודמיין באפך כדקא אזלן בשביה. אקרינן (שם) בניך ובנותיך נתונים לעם אחר. לאביי א"ל בנך ובנתך נפישין ואת אמרת לקריבי יהיבנא להון והיא אמרה לקריבה ואכפה לך ויהבת להון לקריבה והוות לך כעם אחר. לרבא אמר ליה דביתהו שכיבא ואתו בניה ובנתיה לידי אתתא אחריתא דאמר [רבא אמר] רב ירמיה בר אבא אמר רב מאי דכתיב (שם) בניך ובנותיך נתונים לעם אחר (ועיניך רואות) זו אשת האב. אקרינן [בחלמין] (קהלת ט) לך אכול בשמחה לחמך (ושתה בלב טוב יינך). לאביי אמר ליה מרווח עסקך (וטבחת) ואכלת ושתית וקרית פסוקא מחדוא דלבך. לרבא אמר פסיד עסקך טבחת ולא אכלת ושתית וקרית (פסוקא) לפכוחי פחדך. אקרינן (דברים כח) זרע רב תוציא השדה. לאביי אמר ליה מרישיה לרבא א"ל מסופיה. אקרינן (שם) זיתים יהיו לך בכל גבולך וגו'. לאביי אמר ליה מרישיה לרבא אמר ליה מסופיה. אקרינן (שם) וראו כל עמי הארץ (כי שם ה' נקרא עליך). לאביי א"ל נפיק לך שמא דריש מתיבתא הוית (ודחיל כולי עלמא מינך) [אימתך נפלית בעלמא]. לרבא א"ל [בדיינא דמלכא אתבר ו] מיתפסת כגנבי (בי זינא דמלכא) ודאין כ"ע ק"ו מינך. למחר איתבר (בי זינא) [בדיינא] דמלכא ואתו ותפשוה ליה לרבא (דחיל כ"ע ואמרי רבא אתפס אנן לא כ"ש). אמרי ליה חזן חסא על פום דני. לאביי א"ל עייף עסקך כחסא. לרבא א"ל מריר עסקך כחסא. (ועוד רבות כאלה) [אמרי ליה חזן בשרא על פום דני. לאביי א"ל בסיס חמרך ואתו כולי עלמא למזבן בשרא וחמרא מינך. לרבא א"ל תקיף חמרך ואתו כולי עלמא למזבן בשרא למיכל ביה. אמרי ליה חזן חביתא דתלי בדיקלא. לאביי א"ל מדלי עסקך כדיקלא לרבא א"ל חלי עסקך כתמרי. אמרי ליה חזן רומנא דקדחי אפום דני לאביי א"ל עשיק עסקך כרומנא לרבא א"ל קאוי עסקך כרומנא. אמרי ליה חזן חביתא דנפל לבירא לאביי א"ל מתבעי עסקך כדאמר נפל פתא בבירא ולא אשתכח לרבא א"ל פסיד עסקך ושדי' ליה לבירא] אמרי ליה חזינן בר חמרא דקאי אאיסדן ונוער. לאביי א"ל מלכא הוית וקאי אמוראה עלך. לרבא א"ל פטר חמור גהיט בתפילך. א"ל לדידי חזאי לי ואיתיה. א"ל וא"ו דפטר חמור ודאי גהיט מתפילך. (עיין רבא ואשכח וא"ו דפטר חמור גהיט בתפיליה)
Translation: Bar Hedya used to interpret dreams; he would interpret favorably for one who paid him, and unfavorably for one who did not. Abaye and Rava dreamed the same dream, and asked Bar Hedya to interpret it; Abaye gave to him a Zuz, and Rava did not. Abaye and Rava said "Shorcha Tavu'ach Lefanecha..." (your ox will be slaughtered, and you will not eat from it) was read to us [in the dream]. Bar Hedya told Rava that his business will fail, and Lo Ahani Lach Lemeichal due to sadness; he told Abaye that his business will prosper, and Lo Ahani Lach Lemeichal due to joy. They said "Banim u'Vanos Tolid..." (you will bear children, but they will go into captivity) was read to us. Bar Hedya explained this literally to Rava. He told Abaye that he will have many children; his daughters will marry [and go to live with] men from various places, it will seem as if they are in captivity. They said "Banecha u'Venosecha Nesunim l'Am Acher" was read to us. He told Abaye that he will have many children; he and his wife will argue if they should marry his relatives or hers; his wife will win, he will feel as if they are marrying foreigners. He told Rava that his wife will die; her children will be "under" another woman [Rava will remarry]. Rava taught that "Banecha u'Venosecha Nesunim l'Am Acher" refers to a stepmother. They said "Lech Echol b'Simchah Lachmecha" was read to us. He told Abaye that his business will prosper; he will eat and drink, and read the verse with joy. He told Rava that his business will fail; he will slaughter animals but not eat [out of sadness]; he will read this verse Lifchuchei Pachdach. They said "Zera Rav Totzi ha'Sadeh" was read to us. He said that these words will apply to Abaye (his land will produce much), to Rava he applied the end of the verse (you will harvest little, for locusts will eat it).They said "Zeisim Yiheyu Lecha b'Chol Gevulecha" was read to us. He said that these words will apply to Abaye; the Seifa (you will not anoint with the oil, for the olives will fall off the tree) will apply to Rava. They said "v'Ra'u Kol Amei ha'Aretz [... v'Yar'u Mimeka]" was read to us. He said that Abaye will be famous as the Rosh Yeshivah, people will revere him. He told Rava that Daina d'Malka will be broken, and he will be seized. Everyone will make a Kal v'Chomer from him! The next day, this happened to Rava. They said 'we saw lettuce on barrels.' He said that Abaye's business will be Ayef like lettuce, and Rava's business will be bitter like lettuce. They said 'we saw meat on barrels.' Bar Hedya said that Abaye's wine will smell nice; everyone will come to buy meat and wine from him. Rava's wine will turn to vinegar, people will buy meat to eat with it. They said 'we saw a barrel hanging from a date tree.' He said that Abaye's business will grow like a date tree, Rava's business will be Chali like dates. They said 'we saw a pomegranate growing on barrels.' He said that Abaye's wares will be Ashik like pomegranates, and Rava's will be detested like [sour] pomegranates. They said 'we saw a barrel fall into a well.' He said that Abaye's merchandise will be highly sought [but usually sold out], as people say 'the bread fell in the well and can't be found.' Rava's merchandise will be despised and thrown into a well. They said 'we saw a young donkey standing a'Isdan and braying. Bar Hedya said that Abaye will be Malka; a translator will be next to him. He told Rava that the words "Peter Chamor" are erased from his Tefilin. Rava said I saw them; they are there! Bar Hedya said in any case, a "Vav" was erased.
(a)

How does his ox being slaughtered hint that his business will fail?

1.

Maharsha: Man's affairs to profit are called based on an ox - "v'Rav Tevu'os b'Cho'ach Shor" (Mishlei 14:4). For Abaye, he explained being slaughtered to show that it is ready to eat.

(b)

What is the meaning of 'Lo Ahani Lach Lemeichal due to sadness'?

1.

Rashi: You will be so sad that you will not find taste in any food.

(c)

What is the meaning of 'Lo Ahani Lach Lemeichal due to joy'?

1.

Rashi: You will be so sated with joy that you will not feel a need to eat.

(d)

Why did he explain that Rava's children will be taken captive, but did not explain so regarding his ox?

1.

Maharsha: Captivity is when the enemy comes. Bar Hedya did not want the enemy to come to the city (NOTE: also he lived there! However, Rava's children could be in other cities, and be taken captive from there. - PF)

(e)

The verse says that you will beget sons and daughters. Why did Bar Hedya say that only the daughters will marry [and go to live with] men from various places?

1.

Maharsha: It is normal to take married sons into one's house, and send married daughters away. Some enter also the daughters. Abaye will have many children, so he will not be able to enter also his daughters.

(f)

Since Rava explained that "Nesunim l'Am Acher" means being under a step-mother, he should have said 'we read this like l'Em Acher (another mother)'!

1.

Anaf Yosef: Chazal said that women are an Am (nation) unto themselves (Shabbos 62a). Therefore, Rava taught that "Banecha u'Venosecha Nesunim l'Am Acher" refers to a stepmother - she hates her step-children.

(g)

How does "Lech Echol b'Simchah Lachmecha" pertain to business?

1.

Maharsha: He did not say so based on the verse alone. He said you forgot the primary part of the dream. Earlier dreams showed that Rava's business will fail and Abaye's will prosper; the verse reflects a consequence of this.

(h)

What is the meaning of Lifchuchei Pachdach?

1.

Rashi: It is to lessen his worry.

(i)

What is 'from the beginning'?

1.

Rashi: It is "Zera Rav Totzi ha'Sadeh." (NOTE: To Rava he applied the Seifa "you will harvest little, for locusts will eat it." - PF)

(j)

What is Daina d'Malka, and what Kal va'Chomer will people make from Rava?

1.

Rashi: Thieves will break the storehouse of the king's ornaments, and they will blame it on Rava. Others will fear, if Rava could be accused of this, all the more so they could be accused!

(k)

What is 'Ayef like lettuce'?

1.

Rashi: It is wide and its leaves are doubled (folded over) - so his profit will be double.

i.

Daf Al ha'Daf citing Masa d'Yerushalayim (on Yerushalmi Pesachim 2:5): Some questioned whether Chazeres is lettuce. We may rely on Chacham Tzvi, who says that it is. Surely he had a tradition. Also, Rashi says that Chazeres is doubled. So was Shibud Mitzrayim "Tichbad ha'Avodah" (Shemos 5:9). Lettuce is initially sweet and bitter in the end (Pesachim 39a; Pardes Yosef (Bereishis 8:11:38) - i.e. if it continues to grow, it becomes bitter) [just like Shibud Mitzrayim]. So Bar Hedya told Rava, that his business will be sweet, and bitter in the end, like lettuce.

(l)

Why do barrels represent their business?

1.

Rashi: Their business was in wine.

i.

Daf Al ha'Daf citing Beis Aharon v'Yisrael (18:6 p.124): Abaye engaged in income. He oversaw his property every day (Chulin 105a). So he taught 'many did like R. Yishmael and succeeded; many did like R. Shimon and did not succeed' (35b). Maharsha there, ha'Makneh (Kidushin 82a) and Bi'ur Halachah (156, in parentheses) explained that they do not argue; R. Shimon discusses a total Tzadik, and R. Yishmael discusses a non-total Tzadik. This is difficult. Abaye knew that he was a total Tzadik - he received Shalom (via a Bas Kol) from Shamayim every Erev Shabbos (Ta'anis 21b)! Why was he Batel from Torah to engage in income? Perhaps he did not want to benefit from his Torah; this is difficult.

ii.

NOTE: Perhaps Abaye considered himself less virtuous than others who tried to do like R. Shimon, and failed! (PF)

(m)

What is Chali like dates?

1.

Rashi: It is sweet, i.e. he will sell his merchandise cheaply.

(n)

What is 'Ashik'?

1.

Rashi: You will sell it dearly. This is like Ashik l'Gavach (Bava Metzi'a 52a).

(o)

What is 'Kavi'?

1.

Rashi: It is an expression of Kihuy (acidity); everyone will hate it.

(p)

What is a'Isdan?

1.

Rashi: It is by our heads. The Targum of "m'Ra'ashosav" (Bereishis 28:11) is Isdohi.

(q)

Is 'Malka' a king?

1.

Rashi: No, it is Rosh Yeshivah.

(r)

What do we learn from Rava's experience with Bar Hedya?

1.

Ha'Kosev: A Chacham should not be a fool, who believes everything that is 'common knowledge.' Rava remained firm in his pure Emunah about dreams, that the intellectual Nefesh is only from Hash-m. Even though it was publicized to most of his generation, including Abaye, that it depends on the interpreter's desire, he did not falter from his belief. Even though many times he and Abaye had identical dreams, and Bar Hedya interpreted favorably for Abaye and unfavorably for Rava, and so occurred, he remained firm.

i.

NOTE: Surely Rava did not refrain from paying him due to frugality. He could have request from Abaye to ask alone, and interpret Rava's identical dream like the interpretation that Abaye received! (PF)

(s)

What is the significance of the erased Vov in "Peter Chamor"?

1.

Ha'Kosev: The truth of his interpretations was proven from this. Even so, Rava assumed that Bar Hedya had seen the erasure, and now he remembered, to make it the interpretation of the dream. Perhaps Rava thought that it was a hint to him that he lacked intellect, like a donkey, to understand that Bar Hedya knows to interpret dreams. The Tes in Peter can be exchanged with Tav (Patar - explained). The scribe initially wrote Chamor with a Vav, to hint to his lack of understanding. Even though he corrected it, a remnant of the mistake remained. (NOTE: i.e. Shamayim caused the scribe to err, to hint to Rava. - PF) It also hints that just like the scribe retracted from his mistake, Rava should retract. He did not. However, he made two tests. (a) He asked alone about his own dreams. Perhaps due to his great love for Abaye, he prophesized only bad for Rava. (NOTE: Did Bar Hedya not tell Rava that if he will pay to him a Zuz, he will interpret favorably also for him?! - PF) (b) He paid him to interpret dreams.

2.

Maharsha: This is unlike the other dreams, in which future events were according to his interpretations. This was a true interpretation of something that already happened.

i.

NOTE: Also the Perush that worms destroyed all the king's silk was a true Perush of something that already happened. (PF)

3.

Ben Yehoyada: Rava's Tefilin were not Pasul; the "Vav" was fixed before anything further was written. Rather, without a Vav, the word reads like Chemar (wine) - Hash-m informed Rava about the Vav to hint that he should not engage solely in Torah (which is called wine), rather, also in Chesed (a pillar of the world, symbolized by the letter Vav).

3)

INTERPRETATIONS OF RAVA'S DREAMS

לסוף אזל רבא לחודיה לגביה. א"ל חזאי דשא ברייתא דנפל א"ל אתתך שכבא. א"ל חזאי ככי ושיני דנתור. א"ל בנך ובנתך שכבן. א"ל חזאי תרי יוני דפרחן. א"ל תרתי נשי מגרשת. א"ל חזאי תרתי גרגלידי דלפתא. א"ל תרין קולפי בלעת. אזל רבא ההוא יומא ויתיב בי מדרשא כולי יומא אשכח הנהו תרי סגי נהורי דהוו קא מנצי בהדי הדדי. אזל רבא לפרוקינהו ומחוה לרבא תרי. דלו למחוייה אחריתי אמר מסתייה תרין חזאי. לסוף אתא רבא ויהיב ליה אגרא א"ל חזאי אשיתא דנפל. א"ל נכסים בלא מצרים קנית. א"ל חזאי אפדנא דאביי דנפל וכסיין אבקיה. א"ל אביי שכיב מתיבתיה אתיא לגבך. א"ל חזאי אפדנא דידי דנפל ואתו כ"ע ושקול לבינתא לבינתא. א"ל שמעתתך מבדרן בעלמא. א"ל חזאי דאבקע רישי ונתר מוקרי'. א"ל אודרא מבי סדיא נפיק. אמר ליה אקריון הללא מצראה בחלמא אמר ליה ניסי מתרחשי לך.
Translation: Rava asked about the following by himself. He said I saw the outer door (of the house) fall. Bar Hedya said, your wife will die. Rava said, my Kachei and Shinei fell out. He said, your son and daughter will die. Rava said, I saw two doves flying. He said, you will divorce two wives. Rava said, I saw two turnip heads. He said, you will receive two lashes. Rava sat in the Beis Midrash that entire day. He saw two blind men fighting with each other, and went to separate them; they hit him twice, and raised their sticks to hit him again. He said, you hit me enough - I saw only two [turnip heads]! In the end, Rava paid Bar Hedya to interpret. Rava said, I saw a wall fall. He said, you will buy property without limit. He said, I saw Abaye's house fall, and I was covered with its earth. He said, Abaye will die, and you will become Rosh Yeshivah. Rava said, my house fell, and everyone came and took one brick. He said, your teachings will spread throughout the world. Rava said, I saw that my head was split and my brain fell out. He said, the tufts in your pillow will fall out. Rava said, Hallel Mitzrayim was read to me. He said, a miracle will be done for you.
(a)

What are Kachei?

1.

Rashi: They are inner teeth.

2.

Etz Yosef: In Avodah Zarah 28a, Rashi said that they are gums; Tosfos said that they are big teeth.

(b)

Do we find that a miracle was done for Rava?

1.

Megadim Chadashim citing She'eris Nasan: This was the episode in which Rava was cursed that his boat will sink (Bava Basra 153a).

i.

NOTE: This is not such a curse, if he was saved via a miracle! It seems that the curse was that the boat that Rava owned will sink, and he will suffer a great loss (PF).

4)

RAVA CURSED Bar Hedya

הוה קא אזיל בהדיה בארבא אמר בהדי גברא דמתרחיש ליה ניסא למה לי. בהדי דקא סליק נפל ספרא מיניה אשכחיה רבא וחזא דהוה כתיב ביה כל החלומות הולכין אחר הפה. אמר רשע בדידך קיימא וצערתן כולי האי כולהו מחילנא לך בר מברתיה דרב חסדא יהא רעוא דלימסר ההוא גברא לידי דמלכותא דלא מרחמו עליה. אמר מאי אעביד גמירי דקללת חכם אפילו בחנם היא באה וכל שכן רבא דבדינא קא לייט. אמר איקום ואיגלי דאמר מר גלות מכפרת עון. קם גלה לבי רומאי אזל יתיב אפתחא דריש טורזינא דמלכא. ריש טורזינא חזא חלמא אמר ליה חזאי חלמא דעייל מחטא באצבעתי. אמר ליה הב לי זוזא ולא יהב ליה לא אמר ליה ולא מידי. אמר ליה חזאי דנפל תכלא בתרתין אצבעותי. אמר ליה הב לי זוזא ולא יהב ליה לא אמר ליה. חזאי דנפל תיכלא בכולא ידא. (אמר ליה עילוי מאי אפקדוך אמר ליה עילוי שיראי דמלכא) א"ל נפל תיכלא בכולה שיראי. שמעי בי מלכא ואתיוה לריש טורזינא קא קטלו ליה. אמר ליה אנא אמאי אתיוה להאי דהוה ידע ולא אמר. אתיוה לבר הדיא אמר ליה אמטו זוזא דידך חרבו שיראי דמלכא. כפתו תרי ארזא בחבלא אסרו חד כרעיה לחד ארזא וחד כרעיה לחד ארזא ושרו לחבלא עד דאסתליק (אמר רבא לא מחילנא ליה) עד דאסתליק רישיה אזל כל חד וחד וקם אדוכתיה ואסתליק (רישיה) ונפל בתרין:
Translation: Bar Hedya was traveling on the same boat as Rava. He decided to get off, lest the boat sink, and only Rava would be saved. As he was getting off, he dropped a book; Rava saw that it said that dreams are [fulfilled] according to the mouth. Rava said, you are a Rasha! I suffered from all your evil interpretations! I forgive you for all of them, except for the death of [my wife,] Rav Chisda's daughter! May it be His will that you be handed over to a kingdom that will have no mercy on you! Bar Hedya reasoned, what can I do? A Chacham's curse is fulfilled, even if it is unjustified - all the more so Rava's, for he justifiably cursed me! I will exile myself; it was taught that exile atones for sin. He exiled himself to Rome, and sat at the door of the guardian of the treasury. The guardian said that he had a dream that a needle entered his finger; Bar Hedya did not agree to interpret it unless he would pay a Zuz; the guardian refused. Later, the guard told him that he dreamed that a worm fell between his fingers; Bar Hedya refused to interpret it for free. In yet another dream, a worm fell on his whole hand; Bar Hedya said that worms came upon all the silk (in the treasury). The king killed the guardian; before dying, he said that they should rather kill the one who knew about it but did not say anything. They told Bar Hedya, due to the one Zuz that you wanted, all the king's silk robes were destroyed! They [bent and] tied two cedar trees together, and tied one of his legs to each tree. They untied the trees; they snapped back, and Bar Hedya was split in two, up to and including his head.
(a)

Why is a Chacham's curse fulfilled if it is unjustified?

1.

Maharal (Sanhedrin 90b): A Chacham is at the level of intellect. A curse comes from him to physicality, which is a lower level. Nothing is more lacking and cursed than physicality, which has no form! Therefore, it is cursed more via him, just like Niduy (excommunication) and decrees come from a Chacham.

2.

Be'er Sheva (Sanhedrin 90b): This is difficult. Even if you will say that the victim was liable for another reason, [Shamayim] does not bring bad matters via good people (Tosefta Yoma 4:11)! Daf Al ha'Daf - also, if Reuven is punished via Ploni, Ploni does not enter Hash-m's abode (Shabbos 149b)!

(b)

What was the significance of seeing in the book that dreams are according to the mouth?

1.

Ha'Kosev: The Sefer did not say only this. Everyone said so! Rather, in the Sefer were also Bar Hedya's secrets of Chochmah from the left side (powers of Tum'ah), like the books of Onenim (people who divine good and bad times for things) and Kosemim (witches), like it says about those who came to Bil'am "u'Kesamim b'Yadam." Rava saw that he was a Rasha to do evil with his mouth. It is a Mitzvah to hate him - "ha'Lo Mesan'echa Hash-m Esna" (Tehilim 139:21). He cursed him; Bar Hedya feared a Chacham's curse. The true Emunah remains in the heart of those who fear Hash-m, that help is only from Him. He causes dreams and their interpretations. One should not seek a cure for dreams, only to pray to Him and repent from his evil way, and go in front of three who will say verses of mercy. Therefore, after this the Gemara elaborates about verses to say after seeing various matters in dreams. This teaches that there is a wondrous Segulah in the verses of "Toras Hash-m Temimah Meshivas Nafesh."

2.

Anaf Yosef citing Semichus Zekenim: Rava already knew this. R. Elazar learned from a verse that dreams follow the mouth, and Rava explained, this is only if the interpretation fits the dream! Rather, initially he did not want to curse him, lest Bar Hedya did not know that they will be fulfilled.

i.

NOTE: Did Bar Hedya not see that they were fulfilled? He said that Rava will be blamed for theft from the king, and everyone will fear due to this, and so happened the next day! (PF)

3" class="nm">(c) Why was Rava allowed to curse him?

3.

Megadim Chadashim: It is because Bar Hedya pained him greatly and caused many afflictions. Minchas Chinuch (231:3) asks why Elisha was allowed to curse the youths; he said that it is difficult to say that one may curse one who pains him. I say, we find here that it is permitted!

i.

NOTE: Ya'avetz (Shabbos 108a) says that Rav cursed Karna and Shmuel, because he was pained, and they added to his pain. One is not [so] liable for what he does amidst pain. (PF)

56b----------------------------------------56b

5)

INTERPRETATIONS OF CHACHAMIM

שאל בן דמא בן אחותו של ר' ישמעאל את ר' ישמעאל ראיתי שני לחיי שנשרו אמר שני גדודי רומי יעצו עליך רעה ומתו א"ל בר קפרא לר' ראיתי חוטמי שנשר א"ל חרון אף נסתלק ממך א"ל ראיתי ב' ידי שנחתכו א"ל לא תצטרך למעשה ידיך א"ל ראיתי ב' רגלי שנקטעו א"ל על סוס אתה רוכב חזאי דאמרי לי באדר מיתת וניסן לא חזית א"ל באדרותא מיתת ולא אתית לידי ניסיון וא"ל ההוא מינא לרבי ישמעאל ראיתי שאני משקה שמן לזיתים א"ל בא על אמו א"ל חזאי דקטיף לי כוכבא א"ל בר ישראל גנבת' א"ל חזאי דבלעתיה לכוכבא א"ל בר ישראל זבנתיה ואכלת לדמי א"ל חזאי עיני דנשקן אהדדי א"ל בא על אחותו א"ל חזאי דנשקי סיהרא א"ל בא על אשת ישראל א"ל חזאי דדריכנא בטונא דאסא א"ל בא על נערה המאורסה א"ל חזאי טונא מעילאי והוא מתתאי א"ל משכבך הפוך א"ל חזאי עורבי דהדרי לפורייה א"ל אשתך זנתה מאנשים הרבה א"ל חזיא יוני דהדרי לפורייה א"ל נשים הרבה טמאת א"ל חזאי דנקיט תרי יוני ופרחן א"ל תרתי נשי נסבת ופטרתינון בלא גט א"ל חזאי דקליפנא ביעי אמר ליה שכבי קא משלחת אמר ליה כולהו איתנהו בי בר מהא דליתיה אדהכי והכי אתיא האי איתתא ואמרה ליה האי גלימא דמכס' דגברא פלוני הוא דמית ואשלחתיה א"ל חזאי דאמרי לי שבק לך אבוך נכסי בקפודקי' אמר ליה אית לך נכסי בקפודקיא אמר ליה לאו אזל אבוך לקפודקיא אמר ליה לאו אם כן קפא כשורא דיקא עשרה זיל חזי קפא דריש עשרה שהיא מלאה זוזי. אזיל אשכח שהיא מלאה זוזי
Translation: Ben Dama, R. Yishmael's nephew, said 'I saw my jaws fall out.' R. Yishmael told him, two Roman legions plotted evil against you - they died. Bar Kapara said, I saw my nose fall off. Rebbi told him, anger against you has gone away. Bar Kapara said, I saw my hands cut off. He told him, you will not need the labor of your hands. Bar Kapara said, I saw my legs cut off. Rebbi said, you will ride on a horse. Bar Kapara said, people said to me 'you will die in Adar; you will not see Nisan.' Rebbi said, you will die in Adrusa (great honor); you will not come to Nisayon (temptation). A Tzeduki said, I saw that I was putting oil on olives. R. Yishmael said, this shows that you had relations with your mother. (Also the following are the Tzeduki's dreams, and R. Yishmael's interpretations.) I uprooted a star (from the sky) - you kidnapped a Jew. I swallowed a star - you sold a Yisrael and consumed the money. My eyes kissed each other - you had relations with your sister. I kissed the moon - you had relations with a Jew's wife. I was walking in the shade of myrtle - you had relations with a Na'arah Me'urasah. The shade of myrtle was above me, yet the myrtle was below me - you had reversed relations. Ravens were returning to my bed - your wife was Mezanah with many men. Doves were returning to my bed - you defiled many women. I was holding two doves, and they flew away - you married two women and sent them away without a proper divorce. I was peeling eggs - you took clothing off corpses. The Tzeduki said, everything that you said is true, except for this (stripping corpses)! A woman came and said 'the garment you are wearing was from Ploni, who died - you took it off him!' The Tzeduki said, I was told that my father left property for me in Kapodkiya. R. Yishmael asked if he owned anything there, or if his father had gone there; the Tzeduki answered no to both. R. Yishmael said, if so, Kapodkiya is really two words, Kapa (a beam) Daika (10) - the 10th beam in your house is full of coins. The Tzeduki found that this was so.
(a)

What is the connection of the nose to anger?

1.

Rashi: Anger is recognized in the nose - it is heated, and smoke exudes. This is why anger is called Charon Af (Af is the nose).

(b)

What is the significance of 'you will ride on a horse'?

1.

Daf Al ha'Daf (56a, citing Birkas Yakov): In olden times, only great officers were allowed to ride on horses. Others were allowed to ride on donkeys - 'a king (great officer) rides on a horse, and a free man on a donkey' (Shabbos 152a). This is why Balak's officers asked Bil'am why he rides on a donkey, and not on a horse. Pharaoh decreed that no one may lift his [arm] or leg without Yosef's permission (Bereishis 41:44); the Targum says, to ride on a horse. Shlomo was astounded "Ra'isi Avadim Al Susim v'Sarim... Al ha'Aretz" (Koheles 10:7). This is why in the translation of [the Torah into Greek via] the 70 Chachamim, they changed "he put them to ride on the donkey" (Shemos 4:20) to 'on the carrier of people' (Megilah 9a).

(c)

How does putting oil on olives show that he had relations with his mother?

1.

Rashi: Oil is from olives. The son (product) gave to his mother (source) to drink.

(d)

How does uprooting a star show that he kidnapped a Jew?

1.

Rashi: The Jews are compared to stars.

(e)

What is the connection of myrtle to a Na'arah Me'urasah?

1.

Rashi: It was common to put myrtle above the wedding canopy of a Besulah.

6)

SYMBOLS IN DREAMS

א"ר חנינא הרואה באר בחלום רואה שלום שנאמר (בראשית כו) ויחפרו עבדי יצחק בנחל וימצאו שם באר מים חיים רבי נתן אומר מצא תורה שנאמר (משלי ח) כי מוצאי מצא חיים וכתיב הכא באר מים חיים רבא אמר חיים ממש אמר רבי חנן שלש שלומות הן נהר צפור וקדרה נהר דכתיב (ישעיה סו) הנני נוטה אליה כנהר שלום צפור דכתיב (שם לא) כצפרים עפות כן יגן (עליהם) ה' צבאות וגו' קדרה דכתי' (שם כו) ה' תשפות שלום לנו אמר ר' חנינא ובקדר' שאין בה בשר שנינו (מיכה ג) ופרשו כאשר בסיר וכבשר בתוך (הקלחת) [קלחת] א"ר יהושע בן לוי הרואה נהר בחלום ישכים ויאמר הנני נוטה אליה כנהר שלום קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר (ישעיה נט) כי יבא כנהר צר הרואה צפור בחלום ישכים ויאמר כצפרים עפות כן יגן וגו' קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר (משלי כז) כצפור נודדת (מקינה) [מן קנה] וגו' הרואה קדירה בחלום ישכים ויאמר (ישעיה כו) ה' תשפות שלום לנו קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר (יחזקאל כד) שפות הסיר שפות הרואה ענבים בחלום ישכים ויאמר (הושע ט) כענבים במדבר קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר (דברים לב) ענבימו ענבי רוש הרואה הר בחלום ישכים ויאמר (ישעיה נב) מה נאוו על ההרים רגלי מבשר קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר (ירמיה ט) על ההרים אשא בכי ונהי הרואה שופר בחלום ישכים ויאמר (ישעיה נז) והיה ביום ההוא יתקע בשופר גדול קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר (הושע ה) תקעו שופר בגבעה הרואה כלב בחלום ישכים ויאמר (שמות יא) ולכל בני ישראל לא יחרץ כלב לשונו קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר (ישעיה נו) והכלבים עזי נפש הרואה ארי בחלום ישכים ויאמר (עמוס ג) אריה שאג מי לא יירא קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר (ירמיה ד) עלה אריה מסבכו הרואה תגלחת בחלום ישכי' ויאמר (בראשית מא) ויגלח ויחלף שמלותיו קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר (שופטים יז) (כי) אם גולחתי וסר ממני כחי הרואה באר בחלום ישכים ויאמר (שיר ד) באר מים חיים קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר (ירמיה ז) כהקר בור מימיה הרואה קנה בחלום ישכים ויאמר (ישעיה מב) קנה רצוץ לא ישבר קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר (מלכים ב יח) הנה בטחת על משענת הקנה הרצוץ
Translation: R. Chanina taught, one who sees a well will have Shalom - "va'Yachperu Avdei Yitzchak... Be'er." R. Nasan said this shows that he will achieve success in Torah - it says "Ki Motz'i Matza Chayim," as it says "Be'er Mayim Chayim." Rava said, he will find [a source of] life (as we learn from "Be'er Mayim Chayim"). Three things in dreams symbolize Shalom - a river, a bird, and a pot. We learn from "Hineni Noteh Eleha k'Nahar Shalom," "k'Tziporim Afos Ken Yagen Hash-m," and "Hash-m Tishpos (will place down like a pot) Shalom Lanu." R. Chanina said, this refers to a pot without meat; a pot with meat is a bad sign - "u'Farsu Ka'asher ba'Sir uch'Basar b'Soch Kalachas." R. Yehoshua ben Levi said, if one sees a river, in the morning he should rush to say, "Hineni Noteh Eleha k'Nahar Shalom," lest a different verse come to him first (which would make it a bad omen), such as "Ki Yavo cha'Nahar Tzar." For [seeing] a bird, one must say "k'Tziporim Afos...," before, "k'Tzipor Nodedes Min Kinah Ken Ish Noded mi'Mekomo." For a pot, one must say "Hash-m Tishpos..." before "Shefos ha'Sir Shefos" (which alludes to the siege before the Churban). For grapes, one must say "ka'Anavim ba'Midbar" before "Anaveimu Invei Rosh." For a mountain , one must say "Mah Navu Al he'Harim Raglei Mevaser" before "Al he'Harim Esa Bechi va'Nehi." For a Shofar, one must say "v'Hayah ba'Yom ha'Hu Yitaka b'Shofar Gadol" before "Tik'u Shofar ba'Giv'ah." For a dog, one must say "ul'Chol Bnei Yisrael Lo Yecheratz Kelev Leshono" before "veha'Kelavim Azei Nefesh." For a lion, one must say "Aryeh Sha'ag Mi Lo Yira" before "Alah Aryeh mi'Subcho." For shaving, one must say "va'Ygalach va'Ychalef Simlosav" before "Im Gulachti v'Sar Mimeni Chochi." For a well, one must say "Be'er Mayim Chayim" before "k'Hakir Bayir Meimeha." For a Kaneh (reed), one must say "Kaneh Ratzutz Lo Yishbor" before "Hinei Vatachta Al Mish'enes ha'Kaneh ha'Ratzutz."
(a)

What is the connection of "va'Yachperu Avdei Yitzchak... Be'er" to Shalom?

1.

Maharsha: Yitzchak did not keep this well, nor the second, until he had Shalom and they did not quarrel over the third well.

2.

Daf Al ha'Daf (56a, citing Lechem Rav Erech Shalom 2): A dispute is like a water channel. If it is not plugged up immediately [when the river overflows], it widens, and then one cannot plug it up (Sanhedrin 7a). When one puts to his mind that even though it begins small, it grows very big, he will be very careful to have Shalom with everyone. One who sees a well in a dream, i.e. he contemplates that so is the way of argument - it begins with a trivial matter, and increases - he can look forward to Shalom, for he will be extra careful to rule over his Ru'ach to have Shalom.

(b)

Why is seeing a well a sign of Torah?

1.

Maharsha: Torah is compared to water - "Hoy Kol Tazmei Lechu la'Mayim" (Yeshayah 55:1). Other things are compared to water - "Mayim Rabim Lo Yuchelu Lechavos Es ha'Ahahav" (Shir ha'Shirim 8:7), "ha'Mayim ha'Zeidonim" (Tehilim 124:5). However, only Torah, about which it says Chayim, is compared to Mayim Chayim.

2.

Daf Al ha'Daf (56a, citing Lechem Rav Erech Torah 2): The nature of a well is that when one draws water, what remains is better than what he drew before. So is Torah - 'I learned much from my Rebbeyim, and more from my colleagues, and from my Talmidim, more than from all of them' (Ta'anis 7a). The more that we draw from the well of Torah, the remaining Torah becomes clearer.

(c)

Why did Rava say that he will find life?

1.

Maharsha: Human nature requires running water, to draw from the source of life - 'the world cannot exist without water' (Ta'anis 2b). We find that the true Perush of this dream (a well) is good, but it can change via the mouth (interpretation) - most dreams follow the mouth (above, 55b). R. Yehoshua ben Levi taught, one who sees a well in a dream, he must say "Be'er Mayim Chayim" before "k'Hakir Bayir Meimeha." Presumably, he does not argue with these opinions that it is a good dream! Rather, he teaches that a good dream can be reversed to evil, if that verse will come to him first. It is like an interpretation of the dream, like a small Nevu'ah. If one rose and a verse 'fell' in his mouth, it is a small Nevu'ah (ibid.). We find that people asked a child 'what verse are you learning?' We find that a river, a bird, and a pot symbolize Shalom, yet R. Yehoshua ben Levi taught that if one sees a river, he must say... [lest he say a bad omen first], The same applies to one who saw a bird or pot.

(d)

Above, we said that "u'Farsu Ka'asher ba'Sir uch'Basar b'Soch Kalachas" is a bad verse for one who saw a pot. Why did we give a different verse here?

1.

Maharsha #1: The above verse discusses a pot with meat; here we discuss a pot without meat, for he should say "Hash-m Tishpos Shalom Lanu"; we established this to discuss a pot without meat.

i.

Maharsha: This is wrong. "Shefos ha'Sir Shefos", which we bring here, discusses also a pot with meat, like the verses prove!

2.

Maharsha #2: Here we discuss one who sees a pot, and does not know whether or not there is meat in it. Indeed, we could have brought this verse also above.

7)

GOOD AND BAD SIGNS IN DREAMS

תנו רבנן הרואה קנה בחלום יצפה לחכמה שנאמר (משלי ד) קנה חכמה קנים יצפה לבינה שנאמר (שם) ובכל קנינך קנה בינה אמר ר' זירא קרא קורא קירא קניא כולהו מעלו לחלמא תניא אין מראין דלועין אלא למי שהוא ירא שמים בכל כחו הרואה שור בחלום - ישכים ויאמר (דברים לג) בכור שורו הדר לו קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר (שמות כא) כי יגח שור את איש ת"ר חמשה דברים נאמרו בשור האוכל מבשרו מתעשר נגחו הויין ליה בנים שמנגחים בתורה נשכו יסורין באים עליו בעטו דרך רחוקה נזדמנה לו רכבו עולה לגדולה והתניא רכבו מת לא קשיא הא דרכיב הוא לתורא הא דרכיב תורא לדידיה הרואה חמור בחלום יצפה לישועה שנאמר (זכריה ט) הנה מלכך יבא לך צדיק ונושע הוא עני ורוכב על חמור הרואה חתול בחלום באתרא דקרו ליה שונרא נעשית לו שירה נאה שינרא נעשה לו שינוי רע הרואה ענבים בחלום לבנות בין בזמנן בין שלא בזמנן יפות שחורות בזמנן יפות שלא בזמנן רעות הרואה סוס לבן בחלום בין בנחת בין ברדוף יפה לו אדום בנחת יפה ברדוף קשה הרואה ישמעאל בחלום תפלתו נשמעת ודוקא ישמעאל בן אברהם אבל טייעא בעלמא לא הרואה גמל בחלום מיתה נקנסה לו מן השמים והצילוהו ממנה א"ר חמא ברבי חנינא מאי קראה (בראשית מו) אנכי ארד עמך מצרימה ואנכי אעלך גם עלה רב נחמן בר יצחק אמר מהכא (שמואל ב יב) גם ה' העביר חטאתך לא תמות הרואה פינחס בחלום פלא נעשה לו הרואה פיל בחלום פלאות נעשו לו פילים פלאי פלאות נעשו לו והתניא כל מיני חיות יפין לחלום חוץ מן הפיל ומן הקוף לא קשיא הא דמסרג הא דלא מסרג
Translation: A Beraisa taught, if one sees a Kaneh (reed), he may anticipate wisdom - "Keneh Chochmah." If he sees Kanim, he may anticipate Binah (understanding one thing through another) - "uv'Chol Kinyanecha Keneh Vinah." R. Zeira said, the following are good omens in dreams: Kara (gourds), Kora (bark), Kira (wax) and Kanya (reeds). A Beraisa teaches that gourds are shown only to one who fears Heaven with all his might. For an ox, one must say "Bechor Shoro Hadar Lo" before "Ki Yigach Shor Es Ish." A Beraisa teaches five things that were said about an ox [in a dream]. (a) If one eats ox meat, he will become rich. (b) If he is gored by an ox, his sons will 'fight' valiantly in Torah. (c) If he is bitten by an ox, afflictions will come upon him. (d) If it kicks him, he will have opportunity to take a long trip. (e) If he was riding on it, he will rise to greatness. This cannot be - another Beraisa teaches that Rochbo (if he was riding on it), he will die! In that Beraisa, "Rochbo" means it was riding on him. If one sees a donkey, he can anticipate salvation - "Malkech Yavo Lach... Ani v'Rochev Al Chamor." If one sees a cat - where they are called "Shunra," it is an omen of Shira Na'eh (a nice song); where they are called "Shinra," it is an omen of Shinuy Ra (a bad change). White grapes are a good sign, whether or not it is their season; black grapes are a good sign if it is their season, otherwise they are a bad sign. A white horse is a good sign, whether it is going gently or running; a red horse is a good sign if is going gently, it is a bad sign if it is running. If one sees Yishmael, it is a sign that his prayer will be answered (his name alludes to this - Yishma Kel). This refers only to Avraham's son, but not to a Yishmaeli. If one sees a camel, it is a sign that Heaven decreed death upon him and he was saved. R. Chama b'Rebbi Chanina said, we learn from "Anochi Ered Imcha Mitzraimah v'Anochi A'alcha Gam Alo." Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak said, we learn from "Gam Hash-m He'evir Chatascha Lo Tamus." If one sees Pinchas, a Pele (wonder) will be done for him (as was done for Pinchas). A Pil (elephant) shows that Pela'im (wonders) will be done for him; Pilim (plural) show that Pil'ei Pela'im (awesome wonders) will be done for him. This cannot be - a Beraisa teaches that all Chayos (wild animals) are good signs, except for an elephant or monkey! If it has a saddle on it, it is a good sign; if not, it is a bad sign.
(a)

Why should one who sees a Kaneh (reed) anticipate Chochmah? "Keneh Chochmah" is an expression of Kinyan! Also, above, 'one who sees a Kaneh' refers to a verse about a Kaneh!

1.

Maharsha: Here he saw the word Kaneh, just like below discusses one who saw the word Hesped. The word properly hints to "Keneh Chochmah."

(b)

Why is Kara (gourds) a good omen?

1.

Rashi: Kara is Dala'as, like "Dalu Einai la'Marom" (Yeshayah 38:4).

(c)

What is the connection of "Anochi Ered Imcha Mitzraimah v'Anochi A'alcha Gam Alo" to a camel?

1.

Rashi: "Gam Alo" is like Gamal.

i.

Maharsha: Regarding Keri'as Shma, we find that when Aleph or Ayin follows Mem, we are concerned lest it be swallowed in the Mem and not heard. It is as if there is no Ayin here, so the letters Gimel, Mem and Lamed are consecutive.

(d)

How does "Anochi Ered Imcha Mitzraimah v'Anochi A'alcha Gam Alo" show that a camel hints that there was a decree of death on him?

1.

Daf Al ha'Daf citing Gilyonei ha'Shas: A camel is big; it hints to big things (Kil'ayim 3:2). Shabbos is called big, because it has a Chayav Misah (Meforshim on Shabbos 67b). A'alcha Gam Alo" show that a camel hints to salvation.

(e)

How does "Gam Hash-m He'evir Chatascha Lo Tamus" hint to a camel?

1.

Maharsha: Gamal is like Gimmel, which corresponds to the Greek letter gam. (NOTE: In English, it is called gamma. - PF)

(f)

How does Pinchas hint to a wonder?

1.

Rashi: Wonders were done for Pinchas (Sanhedrin 82a).

OTHER D.A.F. RESOURCES
ON THIS DAF