WHO WE TELL DREAMS TO

Within each of us, there exists a vision of a better future - for ourselves, for our families and friends, and for the world.

Each us in some way is a dreamer.

Wherever we are in life - within our relationships, within our work, within our understanding of life and the universe, within our quest for happiness, we dream dreams.

Some days it's what keeps us going.  

When we fail, we dream of a time of success. When our hearts are broken, we pine for days of healing. When we are stagnant, we embrace hope of a future imbued with purpose and meaning.

Without dreams, life can easily become cold and wearisome.

Then perhaps it is no accident that the Torah, the centerpiece of Jewish life, pays great attention to the world of dreams.

The books of Joel, Daniel, Isaiah, Amos, Job, Ecclesiastes and Jeremiah speak openly about dreams. Indeed, the Torah embeds dreams deep within our tradition.

In recent weeks, the Torah has been speaking a lot about dreams. Within the vision of Jacob's Ladder, Jacob observes angels ascending and descending from heaven.

Elsewhere, Pharaoh, Avimelech, Lavan and so many other Biblical characters receive and ponder visions they've received in slumber.

And when they awake, they often beg for someone to help interpret what they've seen.

This week's Torah portion in particular leads us through a field of dreams. In the beginning of Vayeshev, Joseph dreams two dreams.

He observes bundles of wheat in the field. Each represents one of his brothers.

Suddenly, all of the sheaves begin bowing low to a single sheave, representing Joseph. And the Torah tells us Joseph's brothers "hated him even more."

There is a second dream. This time the sun, the moon and eleven stars are seen bowing down to Joseph. And by sharing those two self aggrandizing dreams, a viscous spiral of hatred and jealousy is put into motion.

Joseph and his multi-colored coat are thrown into a pit. He is later rescued and sold into slavery.

Whether through the Torah or through Broadway, we know the rest of the story.

But Jewish study of this matter does not end there. The Zohar, the most influential Kabbalistic text takes an inner look at the story of Joseph and his dreams, and provides us with some profound insights.

It advances the idea that God speaks to us through dreams. So much of our future is shared with us while we sleep. It is not difficult to relate to this idea. Often we wake up from a vivid dream convinced that we were actually there.  

And then we often look to share what we've experienced with a family member or friend.

The Zohar observes this phenomenon and poses the question. "Should we share our dreams with just anyone?"

And it answers, "no."

Indeed, the Zohar teaches that, "A person should only share their dreams with someone who loves them."

Joseph's error, says the Zohar was not so much in sharing his dreams, but in recounting them with those who hated him. The Zohar concludes that telling our dreams to those who do not support us can actually interfere with destiny. It observes, "The listener interferes."

How many of us share our dreams with others? These aren't just dreams of slumber, but also dreams of life.

Returning to school. Changing careers. Traveling to a destination we've only dreamed of. Taking up a hobby. Improving a relationship. Dreaming the impossible.

And when we think of it, who in our lives has supported those dreams?

More often that not, it was those who loved or believe in us the most. They are the ones who help us achieve our life's destiny. It is why our friends and family are so precious.

So often in our daily lives, we become so caught up within the routines of existence, that we cover our ears to the spiritual side of life.

But the mystics tell us, that while we slumber, "God uncovers human ears."

What are your dreams? What are your hopes? What is your future?

Joseph's dreams did come true. Joseph will eventually serve as viceroy of Egypt. He will be wise and influential as his dreams predicted.  

But in the process, hearts were broken.

As it tracks this week's Torah portion, our Sages beckon us to ask the question: Who in our lives should we share our dreams with?

For we cannot do it alone.

Therefore, let us be loving listeners to the dreams of others. And let us have the courage to dream ourselves.

Indeed, not all dreams come true. But almost always they lead us to new paths, new experiences and new insights. For dreams are part of our life journey, as individuals and as a people.

For as Theodore Herzl wrote in 1902, "if you will it, it is no dream."

Let us therefore dare to dream, and have the courage to share those dreams with others who believe in us.

For as our tradition and history have taught us, with faith and with love, dreams can come true.

Shabbat shalom, v'kol tuv (with all goodness).

Rabbi Irwin Huberman