Weekly Letter: On the Topic of Dreams
In connection with the dreams which span the past two parshios, we share a letter in which the Rebbe touches on the topic of dreams – what to make of them and some basic points.
By the Grace of G-d
6th of Teves, 5737
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mrs.
Melbourne, Vic. 3182
Australia
Blessing and Greeting:
This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter with enclosure. As requested, I will remember you in prayer for the fulfillment of your heart’s desires for good.
I was pleased to read the good news which you write about the activities connected with Chanukah. As has often been emphasized, the practical importance of every festival, including Chanukah, is to retain the teachings and inspiration of the festival throughout the year, so that they should be reflected in the daily life.
Chanukah brings a variety of messages. The general message of Chanukah is to increase and spread the light of the Torah and mitzvos in the everyday life, both at home and outside, as symbolized by the Chanukah lights which are kindled in growing numbers from day to day.
Moreover, however satisfactory the state of religious observance may be on any day, it must not remain on the same level, but must be raised to a higher level. This is also one of the basic teachings of the Chanukah lights. For although when lighting one candle the first night, the mitzvah was fulfilled fully and properly nevertheless when a day passes, an extra candle should be kindled the following night. And having done so and thus reached the level of Mehadrin min hamehadrin, complete excellence, one more light has to be kindled the following night and so forth. Thus, however perfectly one fulfills the mitzvos, there is always room for improvement in all matters of goodness and holiness, Torah and mitzvos, since they are infinite, being derived from the Infinite.
May G-d grant that you should always have good news to report.
With blessing,
P.S. With regard to your question about dreams and what they mean, let me make the following observation. In general, it is clear that inasmuch as G-d wants a Jew to follow the good path in life, He would not leave it to such things as dreams and their interpretations to serve as guidelines. For this reason, G-d has given us very clear instructions in His Torah, called Toras Chaim, being our true guide n life and also called Torah Or, a Torah of light, meaning that it clearly illuminates the Jew’s path in life. Needless to say, there are exceptional occasions and exceptional persons, to whom G-d may from time to time convey a special message. But in general, one should not pay attention to dreams or attempt to interpret dreams, except after one has already fully explored and applied the clear directions, which G-d has set forth in His Torah, as concentrated in the Shulchan Aruch, which cover every phase of the Jew’s daily life.
