Pt1 Symbolism of Plants, Animals, Birds, and Nature in Talmudic Dream Interpretations: Over 40 Dream Elements and Their Meanings (Berakhot 56b-57b)

With Appendices With Breakdowns of the Rest: Proper Nouns (Biblical Books, People, and Places); Actions and Events; and Miscellaneous

This is the first part of a three-part series. The outline of the series is below.¹

Intro

Dream symbols are interpreted with dual or multiple meanings, often contrasting good and bad outcomes. Key themes include symbols of peace, prosperity, Torah, and divine connection.

General Pattern

Many symbols depend on specific conditions (e.g., color, season, or activity). Positive interpretations dominate, emphasizing prosperity, spiritual growth, and blessings. Negative connotations appear with certain animals, colors, and specific contexts.

Key literary aspects

Consistent Formula

The sugya follows formulaic patterns in its presentation of symbols. A significant number of sections follow a tripartite structure:

1. “One who sees a [X] in a dream”

2. The interpretation of the symbol

3. A biblical prooftext supporting this interpretation

Use of Biblical Symbols and Metaphors

The interpretations of dreams are grounded in biblical verses, linking the symbolic meaning of dream elements to familiar scriptural motifs. For instance:

1. A well is associated with peace through Genesis 26:19.

2. A reed signifies wisdom based on Proverbs 4:7.

3. A donkey symbolizes salvation through Zechariah 9:9.

These allusions demonstrate a sensitivity to Biblical symbols and metaphors.

Symbolism and Ambiguity

Many symbols have dual connotations, one positive and one negative, such as the river (peace or distress) and the bird (protection or wandering). The Talmud advises mitigating potential negative interpretations by reciting a verse with a favorable meaning, underscoring the malleability of symbolic interpretation.

Homiletic Wordplay

Many dream interpretations rely on linguistic associations or acronyms.² For instance:

1. A reed (קנה) connects to wisdom through the imperative קנה חכמה (”Acquire wisdom”).

2. A cat (שונרא) suggests a “nice song” (שירה נאה) through phonetic similarity, while another pronunciation (שינרא) implies “change for the worse” (שינוי רע).

Messianic and Eschatological Themes

Several symbols, such as the planted vine or the reed, point to messianic hopes.

Summary and Breakdown of Symbols and Interpretations: Plants, Animals, Birds, and Nature

1. Plants:

   • Vegetables: Positive, except for turnip heads.

   • Fruits: Positive, except unripe dates.

   • Wheat: Peace, barley: Iniquities forgiven.

   • Grapes: Good when white; seasonal distinctions for black.

   • Figs: Torah preservation.

   • Pomegranates: Indicate flourishing business or Torah.

   • Olives: Represent children or good reputation.

   • Palm trees: Indicate cessation of transgressions.

   • Citron and palm branches: Honor and single-hearted devotion.

   • Pumpkin: God-fearing individual.

   • Reed: Symbolizes Messiah, Egypt, wisdom, or understanding.

2. Animals:

   • Ox: Associated with majesty, suffering, Torah scholar sons, wealth, or travel.

   • Lion: Linked to prophecy or destruction.

   • Donkey: Represents salvation.

   • Camel: Death was decreed but spared.

   • Goat: Blessings for the year or years.

   • Goose: Anticipates wisdom or headship of a yeshiva.

   • Snake: Livelihood accessibility.

   • Elephant: Symbolizes miracles, either single or major.

3. Birds:

   • Peaceful or wandering (general).

   • Roosters: Male children or anticipation of wisdom.

   • Hens: Represent gardens.

   • Negative birds include eagle-owls and kurferai.

4. Nature: Colors, Mountains, Water, and Wells:

   • Colors: Generally positive, except for sky-blue (tekhelet).

   • Mountains: Signify good tidings or weeping.

   • Well symbolizes peace, Torah, life, living waters, or wickedness.

   • Rivers signify peace, distress, or protection.

Outline

1. Intro

General Pattern

1. Key literary aspects

2. Consistent Formula

3. Use of Biblical Symbols and Metaphors

4. Symbolism and Ambiguity

5. Homiletic Wordplay

6. Messianic and Eschatological Themes

7. Summary and Breakdown of Symbols and Interpretations: Plants, Animals, Birds, and Nature

The passage - Symbolism of Plants, Animals, Birds, and Nature in Talmudic Dream Interpretations: Over 40 Dream Elements and Their Meanings (Berakhot 56b-57b)

Part 1

1. R’ Ḥanina & R’ Natan - Well = peace; Torah; life - Genesis 26:19; Proverbs 8:35 (56b, #7)

2. R’ Ḥanan - River; bird; pot = peace - Isaiah 66:12, 31:5 (#8)

Dream Symbols with Dual Scriptural Opposites

1. R’ Yehoshua ben Levi - River = peace / distress - Isaiah 59:19 (#9a)

2. Bird = protect / wander - Proverbs 27:8 (#9b)

3. Grapes = Israel in the wilderness / bitter - Hosea 9:10; Deuteronomy 32:32 (#10a)

4. Mountain = good tidings / weeping - Isaiah 52:7; Jeremiah 9:9 (#10b)

5. Dog = shall not a dog whet his tongue / greedy - Exodus 11:7; Isaiah 56:11 (#12a)

6. Lion = prophecy / destroyer of nations is set out - Amos 3:8; Jeremiah 4:7 (#12b)

7. Well = living waters / wickedness - Song of Songs 4:15; Jeremiah 6:7 (#13b)

8. Reed = Messiah / Egypt - Isaiah 42:3; II Kings 18:21 (#13c)

9. Baraita - Reed (single) = wisdom; reeds (multiple) = understanding - Proverbs 4:7 (#14a)

10. R’ Zeira - Pumpkin; heart of palm; wax; reed = good (#14b)

11. Baraita - Pumpkin = fears Heaven (#14d)

12. Ox = majesty / goring - Deuteronomy 33:17; Exodus 21:28 (#15a)

Part 2

1. Donkey = messianic salvation - Zechariah 9:9 (#18a)

2. Cat: “Shunra” = nice song ; Shinra = change for the worse (#18b)

3. Grapes: white = good ; black, in-season = good ; black, not in-season = bad (#18c)

4. Horse: white = good ; red - walking = good ; running = bad (#18d)

5. Camel = death was decreed upon him from heaven but he was spared (#19)

   1. Prooftexts - R’ Ḥama b. Ḥanina & Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak - Genesis 46:4; II Samuel 12:13

6. Elephant (single) = miracles will be performed for him; Elephants (multiple) = major miracles (#20)

7. R’ Ḥiyya bar Abba - Wheat = peace - Psalms 147:14 (57a, #5a)

8. Barley = iniquities are taken away - Isaiah 6:7 (#5b)

9. Anecdote of R’ Zeira

10. Vine: laden (with grapes) = wife will not miscarry ; planted = anticipate the Messiah - Psalms 128:3; Genesis 49:11 (#6)

11. Fig = Torah is preserved within him - Proverbs 27:18 (#7a)

12. Pomegranates: small = business will flourish ; large = business will increase ; slices: Torah scholar = anticipate Torah; ignoramus = anticipate mitzvot - Song of Songs 8:2 (#7b)

13. Olives: small = business will flourish ; trees = will have many children; good reputation will spread for him - Psalms 128:3; Jeremiah 11:16 (#8a)

14. Dates = his transgressions have ceased - Lamentations 4:22 (#8c)

15. Rav Yosef - Goat (single) = his year will be blessed; goats (multiple) = his years will be blessed - Proverbs 27:27 (#9a)

16. Myrtle = his property will be successful / receive an inheritance (#9b)

17. Leviticus 23:40 - Citron (‘etrog’) = he is honored before God (#9c)

18. Lulav = he has but one heart for God (#9d)

19. Goose = anticipate wisdom - Proverbs 1:20 (#10)

20. Rooster (single) = anticipate a male child; Roosters (multiple) = male children (#11a)

21. Hen = anticipate a beautiful garden (#11b)

22. Snake = his livelihood is accessible to him (#20)

23. Animals, except for an elephant, a monkey and a long-tailed ape = good (57b, #7)

24. Fruit, except for unripe dates = good (#8a)

25. Vegetables, except for turnip heads = good (#8b)

26. Colors, except for sky-blue (tekhelet) = good (#8c)

27. Birds, except for an eagle-owl, and an owl, and a kurferai = good (#8d)

Appendix #1 - Summary Table of Symbols, Interpretations, and Biblical Proof Texts

Appendix #2 - Summary of Additional Symbols (not included in the main piece)

1. Appendix #2a - Breakdown of Proper Nouns: Biblical Books, People, and Places (summary of Berakhot 57b)

   1. Breakdown of Symbols and Interpretations

2. Appendix #2b - Breakdown of Actions and Events

   1. Actions and Their Interpretations

3. Appendix #2c - Miscellaneous

The passage

Berakhot.56b.7-57b.8³

R’ Ḥanina, R’ Natan, and Rava - Well = peace; Torah; life - Genesis 26:19; Proverbs 8:35 (56b, #7)

אמר רבי חנינא:

הרואה באר בחלום —

רואה שלום,

שנאמר:

״ויחפרו עבדי יצחק בנחל,

וימצאו שם באר מים חיים״.

R’ Ḥanina said:

One who sees a well in a dream —

sees peace,

as it is said:

“And Isaac’s servants dug in the valley

and found there a well of living water” (Genesis 26:19),

and ultimately there was peace.

רבי נתן אומר:

מצא תורה

• שנאמר:

  • ״כי מצאי מצא חיים״,

• וכתיב הכא:

  • ״באר מים חיים״.

רבא אמר: חיים ממש.

R’ Natan says:

One who sees a well in his dream it is a symbol that he has found Torah, as the well symbolizes Torah.

• As it is stated with regard to the Torah:

  • “For whoever finds me finds life” (Proverbs 8:35),

• and it is written here:

  • “A well of living water,”

and we see that a well is linked to Torah as both are associated with life.

Rava said: The well in the dream symbolizes actual life.

R’ Ḥanan - River; bird; pot = peace - Isaiah 66:12, 31:5, 26:12 (#8)

אמר רבי חנן:

שלש שלומות הן:

1. נהר,

2. צפור,

3. וקדרה.

1. נהר —

   1. דכתיב: ״הנני נטה אליה כנהר שלום״.

2. צפור —

   1. דכתיב: ״כצפרים עפות, כן יגן ה׳ צבאות וגו׳״.

3. קדרה —

   1. דכתיב: דכתיב: ״ה׳ תשפת שלום לנו״.

[...]

R’ Ḥanan said:

There are three items seen in dreams that are indications of peace:⁴

1. A river,

2. a bird

3. and a pot.

The Talmud elaborates:

1. A river,

   1. as it is written: “I will extend peace to her like a river” (Isaiah 66:12);

2. a bird,

   1. as it is written: “As birds hovering, so will YHWH of hosts protect Jerusalem” (Isaiah 31:5);

3. and a pot,

   1. as it is written: “YHWH, You will establish [tishpot] peace for us” (Isaiah 26:12). Peace is likened to a pot which is placed [shafat] on the fire.

[...]

Dream Symbols with Dual Scriptural Opposites

Summary Table of Talmudic Dream Symbols with Dual Scriptural Opposites:⁵

R’ Yehoshua ben Levi - River = peace / distress - Isaiah 59:19 (#9a)

אמר רבי יהושע בן לוי:

הרואה נהר בחלום —

• ישכים ויאמר:

  • ״הנני נטה אליה כנהר שלום״,

• קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר —

  • ״כי יבא כנהר צר״.

R’ Yehoshua ben Levi said:

One who sees a river in a dream —

• should rise early and recite:

  • “I will extend peace to her like a river,”

• before a different verse, with a negative connotation, can precede it in becoming reality:

  • “For distress will come in like a river” (Isaiah 59:19).

Bird = protect / wander - Isaiah 31:5; Proverbs 27:8 (#9b)

הרואה צפור בחלום —

• ישכים ויאמר

  • ״כצפרים עפות, כן יגן וגו׳״,

• קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר —

  • ״כצפור נודדת מן קנה וגו׳״.

[...]

One who sees a bird in a dream —

• should rise early and recite:

  • “As birds hovering, so will YHWH of hosts protect Jerusalem,”⁶

• before a different verse, with a negative connotation, can precede it in becoming reality:

  • “As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man that wanders from his place” (Proverbs 27:8).

[...]

Grapes = Israel in the wilderness / bitter - Hosea 9:10; Deuteronomy 32:32 (#10a)

הרואה ענבים בחלום —

• ישכים ויאמר

  • ״כענבים במדבר״,

• קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר —

  • ״ענבמו ענבי רוש״.

Similarly, one who sees grapes in a dream —

• should rise early and recite:

  • “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness” (Hosea 9:10),

• before a different verse, with a negative connotation, can precede it in becoming reality:

  • “Their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter” (Deuteronomy 32:32).

Mountain = good tidings / weeping - Isaiah 52:7; Jeremiah 9:9 (#10b)

הרואה הר בחלום —

• ישכים ויאמר —

  • ״מה נאוו על ההרים רגלי מבשר״,

• קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר —

  • ״על ההרים אשא בכי ונהי״.

[...]

One who sees a mountain in a dream --

• should rise early and recite:

  • “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger of good tidings, that announces peace, the harbinger of good tidings, that announces salvation” (Isaiah 52:7),

• before a different verse, with a negative connotation, can precede it in becoming reality:

  • “For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing” (Jeremiah 9:9).

[...]

Dog = shall not a dog whet his tongue / greedy - Exodus 11:7; Isaiah 56:11 (#12a)

הרואה כלב בחלום —

• ישכים ויאמר

  • ״ולכל בני ישראל לא יחרץ כלב לשנו״,

• קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר —

  • ״והכלבים עזי נפש״.

One who sees a dog in a dream —

• should rise early and recite:

  • “But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog whet his tongue” (Exodus 11:7),

• before a different verse, with a negative connotation, can precede it in becoming reality:

  • “Yea, the dogs are greedy” (Isaiah 56:11).

Lion = prophecy / destroyer of nations is set out - Amos 3:8; Jeremiah 4:7 (#12b)

הרואה ארי בחלום —

• ישכים ויאמר

  • ״אריה שאג מי לא יירא״,

• קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר —

  • ״עלה אריה מסבכו״.

[...]

One who sees a lion in a dream —

• should rise early and recite:

  • “The lion has roared, who will not fear? YHWH God has spoken, who can but prophesy?” (Amos 3:8),

• before a different verse, with a negative connotation, can precede it in becoming reality:

  • “A lion is gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations is set out, gone forth from his place” (Jeremiah 4:7).

[...]

Well = living waters / wickedness - Song of Songs 4:15; Jeremiah 6:7 (#13b)

הרואה באר בחלום —

• ישכים ויאמר

  • ״באר מים חיים״,

• קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר —

  • ״כהקיר ביר מימיה״.

One who sees a well (באר) in a dream —

• should rise early and recite:

  • “A well of living waters” (Song of Songs 4:15),

• before a different verse, with a negative connotation, can precede it in becoming reality:

  • “As a cistern wells with her waters, so it wells in its wickedness” (Jeremiah 6:7).

Reed = Messiah / Egypt - Isaiah 42:3; II Kings 18:21 (#13c)

הרואה קנה בחלום —

• ישכים ויאמר

  • ״קנה רצוץ לא ישבור״,

• קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר —

  • ״הנה בטחת לך על משענת הקנה הרצוץ״.

One who sees a reed (קנה) in a dream —

• should rise early and recite:

  • “A bruised reed shall he not break” (Isaiah 42:3), in praise of the Messiah,

• before a different verse, with a negative connotation, can precede it in becoming reality:

  • “Now, behold, you trust upon the staff of this bruised reed” (II Kings 18:21), which is a disparaging depiction of Egypt.

Baraita - Reed (single) = wisdom; reeds (multiple) = understanding - Proverbs 4:7 (#14a)

תנו רבנן:

• הרואה קנה בחלום —

  • יצפה לחכמה,

  • שנאמר: ״קנה חכמה״.

• קנים —

  • יצפה לבינה,

  • שנאמר: ״ובכל קנינך קנה בינה״.

The Sages teach:

• One who sees a reed [kaneh] in a dream --

  • should expect wisdom,

  • as it is stated: “Get [kene] wisdom” (Proverbs 4:7).

• One who sees several reeds [kanim] --

  • should expect understanding,

  • as it said: “Yea, with all your acquisitions [kinyanekha] acquire understanding” (Proverbs 4:7).

R’ Zeira - Pumpkin; heart of palm; wax; reed = good (#14b)

אמר רבי זירא:

1. קרא,

2. קורא,

3. קירא,

4. קניא —

כולהו מעלו לחלמא.

R’ Zeira said:

1. Pumpkin [kara],

2. heart of palm [kura],

3. wax [kira],

4. and reed [kanya],

are all advantageous when one dreams about them.

Baraita - Pumpkin = fears Heaven (#14d)

תניא:

אין מראין דלועין אלא למי שהוא ירא שמים בכל כחו.

It was taught in a baraita:

A pumpkin is only shown in a dream to one who fears Heaven with all his might,

because pumpkins [delu’im] are interpreted as an acronym for dalu einai la-marom, “My eyes were raised on high” (Isaiah 38:14).

Ox = majesty / goring - Deuteronomy 33:17; Exodus 21:28 (#15a)

הרואה שור בחלום --

• ישכים ויאמר

  • ״בכור שורו הדר לו״,

• קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר —

  • ״כי יגח שור את איש״.

[...]

One who sees an ox in a dream --

• should rise early and recite:

  • “His firstling bullock, majesty is his” (Deuteronomy 33:17),

• before a different verse, with a negative connotation, can precede it in becoming reality:

  • “And if an ox gore a man” (Exodus 21:28).

[...]

1. See my previous series for additional selections from this sugya:

• “ ‘All Dreams Follow the Mouth’: Bar-Haddaya’s Fee-Driven Interpretations of the Dreams of Rava and Abaye (Berakhot 56a-b)”, final part: Pt2

• “Selected Dream Interpretations, Especially Those Relating to Illicit Sex (Berakhot 56a-57b)”, final part: Pt2

2. More precisely: “backronyms”. On backronyms in the Talmud, see my extended note in the intro to my “‘Where in Scripture is Notarikon Found?’: Talmudic Interpretation of Biblical Words as Acronyms (Shabbat 105a)“.

3. As in other pieces of mine, the section numbering of ed. Steinsaltz is provided in parentheses at the end of my section headers.

4. שלומות - plural of ‘shalom’ (“peace”).

5. Ed. Steinsaltz explains:

One who sees something in a dream that may be interpreted ambiguously should quickly recite an appropriate verse suggestive of a positive interpretation.

Since rivers, birds, and pots have ambiguous connotations, it is recommended that someone who sees them in a dream recite a verse that interprets the dream positively.

This literary formula is repeated 9 times in the ensuing passages:

הרואה [דבר פלוני] בחלום —

• ישכים ויאמר:

  • ״[פסוק א]״,

• קודם שיקדמנו פסוק אחר —

  • ״[פסוק ב]״.

One who sees a [X - plant, animal, bird, or other natural element] in a dream —

• [should] rise early and recite (ישכים ויאמר):

  • “[verse A]”

• before (קודם) a different verse (פסוק אחר) [with a negative connotation] can precede it (יקדמנו) [in becoming reality]:

  • “[verse B]”

6. Note that this same verse (Isaiah 31:5) was also previously quoted as a prooftext (again re the bird as a symbol), in section “R’ Ḥanan - River; bird; pot = peace - Isaiah 66:12, 31:5, 26:12 (#8)“.