Pt2 Selected Dream Interpretations, Especially Those Relating to Illicit Sex (Berakhot 56a-57b)
This is the second part of a two-part series. First part here.
Outline
Pt2
Sex with his mother = anticipate attaining understanding
Sex with a betrothed young woman = anticipate Torah
Sex with his sister = anticipate wisdom
Sex with a married woman = assured that he is one who has a place in the World-to-Come
Pt3
Goose = anticipate wisdom
Sex with a goose = will become head of the yeshiva
Pt2
In this passage, various dreams about illicit relations are interpreted symbolically, with each scenario representing a spiritual promise.1
Sex with his mother = anticipate attaining understanding
Dreaming of relations with one's mother signifies an impending gain in understanding.
This interpretation is based on a play on words between "im" (if) and "em" (mother) in Hebrew, linking the dream to a verse from Proverbs that equates seeking understanding.
הבא על אמו בחלום — יצפה לבינה,
שנאמר: ״כי אם לבינה תקרא״.
One who sees that he had relations with his mother [em] in a dream, he should anticipate attaining understanding,
as it is stated: “Yea if [im] you call for understanding” (Proverbs 2:3), and in this homiletic interpretation im is considered to be the equivalent of em.
Sex with a betrothed young woman = anticipate Torah
Dreaming of relations with a betrothed young woman (נערה מאורסה)2 suggests that the dreamer should anticipate acquiring Torah knowledge.
This is connected through a homophonic interpretation of "morasha" (inheritance) as "me'orasa" (betrothed), drawing from a verse in Deuteronomy.
הבא על נערה מאורסה — יצפה לתורה,
שנאמר: ״תורה צוה לנו משה, מורשה קהלת יעקב״,
אל תקרי ״מורשה״ אלא ״מאורשה״.
One who sees that he had relations with a betrothed young woman in a dream, he should anticipate Torah,
as it is stated: “Moses commanded us Torah, an inheritance [morasha] of the congregation of Jacob” (Deuteronomy 33:4).
Do not read it as morasha; rather, read it as me’orasa, betrothed.
Sex with his sister = anticipate wisdom
Dreaming of relations with one's sister indicates that the dreamer should expect to gain wisdom.
This association is made through a direct reference to a Proverb that metaphorically calls wisdom a sister.
הבא על אחותו בחלום — יצפה לחכמה,
שנאמר: ״אמר לחכמה: אחתי את״.
One who sees that he had relations with his sister in a dream, should anticipate wisdom,
as it is stated: “Say unto wisdom: You are my sister” (Proverbs 7:4).
Sex with a married woman = assured that he is one who has a place in the World-to-Come
Dreaming of relations with a married woman is seen as a very auspicious sign, suggesting that the dreamer has secured a place in the World-to-Come.
This dream indicates receiving a double portion in the Garden of Eden, symbolizing a share that typically belongs to another.
הבא על אשת איש בחלום — מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא.
One who sees that he had relations with a married woman in a dream is assured that he is one who has a place in the World-to-Come. He receives his place as well as that of another person in the Garden of Eden, as the married woman represents a portion belonging to someone else.
[...]
Pt3
In this Talmudic interpretation, dreams involving a goose symbolize future wisdom and potential leadership within a scholarly community.
Goose = anticipate wisdom
Seeing a goose in a dream is linked to an anticipation of wisdom.
This symbolism is drawn from the behavior of geese, who are known to be vocal, and is associated with a verse from Proverbs that describes wisdom calling out in public spaces.
הרואה אווז בחלום — יצפה לחכמה
שנאמר: ״חכמות בחוץ תרנה״.
One who sees a goose in a dream should anticipate wisdom,
as it is stated: “Wisdoms cry aloud in the streets, she utters her voice in the broad places” (Proverbs 1:20); geese tend to sound their voices.
Sex with a goose = will become head of the yeshiva
Dreaming of having relations with a goose is considered a sign that the dreamer will ascend to a significant position of leadership, specifically becoming the head of the yeshiva.
This is supported by Rav Ashi's personal testimony, where he recounts such a dream preceding his rise to prominence as a yeshiva head.
והבא עליה -- הוי ראש ישיבה.
אמר רב אשי: אני ראיתיה, ובאתי עליה, וסלקית לגדולה.
One who dreams that he has relations with the goose will become head of the yeshiva.
Rav Ashi said: I saw a goose and had relations with it in my dream and I ascended to greatness and became head of the yeshiva.
The first passage ends with a gloss that these interpretations hold true only if the woman in the dream was not known or thought of by the dreamer prior to the dream. I elide this part; it’s likely that it is a later addition of the Stam.
This term is used in the previous part as well, see there.