Hidden in Torah’s stories of Joseph the dreamer lie some basic guidelines for dream interpretation.

Our Talmudic sages develop these in more detail (Berachot 55-57). Dreams, they say, carry symbolic messages from other realms. But, to discern a dream’s message, one must go beyond its literal meaning. And finding a correct interpretation can be a delicate art.

Here are four Talmudic guidelines, summarized in our sages’ own words.

Interpret your dream

A dream that is not interpreted is like a letter that is not read. Whoever has a dream that makes them sad should go and have it interpreted in the presence of three.

Look for meaning in the symbols

Three kings are important for dreams. Whoever sees David in a dream, may hope for piety. If they see Solomon, they may hope for wisdom. But if they see Ahab, they should fear for punishment. If one sees an elephant in a dream, a miracle will be wrought.

Find helpful metaphors amid the nonsense

Just as wheat cannot be without straw, so there cannot be a dream without some nonsense. Even if part of a dream is fulfilled, the whole of it never is. From where do we know this? From the imagery in Joseph’s dream. Torah says, “And behold the sun and the moon bowed down to me” (Gen. 37:9). But at that time, his mother [represented by the moon] was not living.

Re-interpret for multiple meanings

R. Bana’ah said, “Once I dreamt a dream and went round to 24 interpreters. They all gave different interpretations. And all were fulfilled! The meaning of a dream follows the interpretation.”

Have you a recent dream that haunts your consciousness? Speak of it with your friends. Learn what it means to them. Discern the message that best speaks to you.

For more reflections on Parshat Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1-40:23), click here.

Photo credit: Chuck Ayoub, Elephant Trunk Nebula