Berakhot 57
הָא דִּמְסָרַג, הָא דְּלָא מְסָרַג. הָרוֹאֶה הוּנָא בַּחֲלוֹם — נֵס נַעֲשָׂה לוֹ. חֲנִינָא, חֲנַנְיָא, יוֹחָנָן — נִסֵּי נִסִּים נַעֲשׂוּ לוֹ. הָרוֹאֶה הֶסְפֵּד בַּחֲלוֹם — מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם חָסוּ עָלָיו וּפְדָאוּהוּ. וְהָנֵי מִילֵּי בִּכְתָבָא.
This opinion, that seeing an elephant is a good omen, refers to a case where one saw it saddled, while this opinion, that it is a bad omen, refers to a case where the elephant is not saddled. One who sees a man named Huna in a dream, it is a sign that a miracle will be performed for him, because the letter nun in the name Huna represents the word nes, miracle. One who sees a man named Ḥanina, Ḥananya, or Yoḥanan, it is a sign that many miracles will be performed for him, since the letter nun appears twice in those names. One who sees a eulogy in a dream, it is a sign that the heavens had mercy upon him, and spared him from a divine death sentence and there will be no need to eulogize him in reality. The Gemara restricts this statement and says that this only applies if he saw the eulogy written and not yet delivered.
הָעוֹנֶה ״יְהֵא שְׁמֵיהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ״ — מוּבְטָח לוֹ שֶׁהוּא בֶּן הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. הַקּוֹרֵא קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע — רָאוּי שֶׁתִּשְׁרֶה עָלָיו שְׁכִינָה, אֶלָּא שֶׁאֵין דּוֹרוֹ זַכַּאי לְכָךְ.
One who answers in a dream: May His great name be blessed from kaddish is assured that he is one who has a place in the World-to-Come. One who sees himself reciting Shema in a dream is worthy of having the Divine Presence rest upon him, but his generation is unworthy, and, therefore, the Divine Presence does not actually rest upon him.
הַמַּנִּיחַ תְּפִילִּין בַּחֲלוֹם — יְצַפֶּה לִגְדוּלָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְרָאוּ כׇּל עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ כִּי שֵׁם ה׳ נִקְרָא עָלֶיךָ וְגוֹ׳״. וְתַנְיָא, רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר הַגָּדוֹל אוֹמֵר: אֵלּוּ תְּפִילִּין שֶׁבָּרֹאשׁ. הַמִּתְפַּלֵּל בַּחֲלוֹם — סִימָן יָפֶה לוֹ. וְהָנֵי מִילֵּי דְּלָא סַיֵּים.
One who sees himself don phylacteries in a dream should anticipate greatness, as it is stated: “And all the peoples of the earth shall see that the name of the Lord is called upon you; and they shall be afraid of you” (Deuteronomy 28:10). And it was taught in a baraita that Rabbi Eliezer the Great says: That the Name of the Lord is called upon you, refers to phylacteries of the head, as they represent God’s name upon man. One who sees himself pray in a dream, it is an auspicious omen. However, the Gemara adds a caveat and says: This only applies in a case where he saw in the dream that he had not yet finished his prayer and is therefore still close to God. If, in the dream, he had already finished his prayer, it is not an omen.
הַבָּא עַל אִמּוֹ בַּחֲלוֹם — יְצַפֶּה לְבִינָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי אִם לַבִּינָה תִקְרָא״. הַבָּא עַל נַעֲרָה מְאוֹרָסָה — יְצַפֶּה לְתוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״תּוֹרָה צִוָּה לָנוּ מֹשֶׁה מוֹרָשָׁה קְהִלַּת יַעֲקֹב״, אַל תִּקְרֵי ״מוֹרָשָׁה״ אֶלָּא ״מְאוֹרָשָׂה״. הַבָּא עַל אֲחוֹתוֹ בַּחֲלוֹם — יְצַפֶּה לְחׇכְמָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֱמֹר לַחׇכְמָה אֲחֹתִי אָתְּ״. הַבָּא עַל אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ בַּחֲלוֹם — מוּבְטָח לוֹ שֶׁהוּא בֶּן הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. וְהָנֵי מִילֵּי דְּלָא יָדַע לַהּ וְלָא הַרְהַר בַּהּ מֵאוּרְתָּא.
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. 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. 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). 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. However, the Gemara adds a caveat and says: This only applies in a case where he did not know her and was not thinking about her that evening; rather, he saw an unidentified woman in his dream by chance.
אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא: הָרוֹאֶה חִטִּים בַּחֲלוֹם — רָאָה שָׁלוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הַשָּׂם גְּבוּלֵךְ שָׁלוֹם חֵלֶב חִטִּים יַשְׂבִּיעֵךְ״. הָרוֹאֶה שְׂעוֹרִים בַּחֲלוֹם — סָרוּ עֲוֹנוֹתָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְסָר עֲוֹנֶךָ וְחַטָּאתְךָ תְּכֻפָּר״. אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: אֲנָא לָא סְלַקִי מִבָּבֶל לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל עַד דַּחֲזַאי שְׂעָרֵי בְּחֶלְמָא.
Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said: One who sees wheat in a dream has seen peace, as it is stated: “He makes your borders peace; He gives you in plenty the fat of wheat” (Psalms 147:14). And one who sees barley [se’orim] in a dream has received a sign that his iniquities are taken away, as it is stated: “And your iniquity is taken away [vesar avonekh], and your sin expiated” (Isaiah 6:7); se’orim is an acronym for sar avon. Rabbi Zeira said: I did not ascend from Babylonia to Eretz Yisrael until I saw barley in my dream.
הָרוֹאֶה גֶּפֶן טְעוּנָה בַּחֲלוֹם — אֵין אִשְׁתּוֹ מַפֶּלֶת נְפָלִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֶשְׁתְּךָ כְּגֶפֶן פֹּרִיָּה״. שׂוֹרֵקָה — יְצַפֶּה לַמָּשִׁיחַ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֹסְרִי לַגֶּפֶן עִירֹה וְלַשֹּׂרֵקָה בְּנִי אֲתֹנוֹ״.
One who sees a vine laden with grapes in a dream, it is an omen that his wife will not miscarry, as it is stated: “Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of your house” (Psalms 128:3). One who sees a planted vine branch in a dream should anticipate the Messiah, as it is stated: “Binding his foal unto the vine and his donkey’s colt unto the vine branch” (Genesis 49:11).
הָרוֹאָה תְּאֵנָה בַּחֲלוֹם — תּוֹרָתוֹ מִשְׁתַּמֶּרֶת בְּקִרְבּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״נוֹצֵר תְּאֵנָה יֹאכַל פִּרְיָהּ״. הָרוֹאֶה רִמּוֹנִים בַּחֲלוֹם, זוּטְרֵי — פָּרֵי עִסְקֵיהּ כְּרִמּוֹנָא, רַבְרְבֵי — רָבֵי עִסְקֵיהּ כְּרִמּוֹנָא. פַּלְגֵי, אִם תַּלְמִיד חָכָם הוּא — יְצַפֶּה לְתוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אַשְׁקְךָ מִיַּיִן הָרֶקַח מֵעֲסִיס רִמֹּנִי״. וְאִם עַם הָאָרֶץ הוּא — יְצַפֶּה לְמִצְוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כְּפֶלַח הָרִמּוֹן רַקָּתֵךְ״. מַאי רַקָּתֵךְ — אֲפִילּוּ רֵיקָנִין שֶׁבָּךְ, מְלֵאִים מִצְוֹת כְּרִמּוֹן.
One who sees a fig tree in a dream, it is a sign that his Torah is preserved within him, as it is stated: “One who keeps the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof” (Proverbs 27:18). One who sees pomegranates in a dream, if they were small, his business will flourish like the seeds of the pomegranate, which are numerous; and if they were large, his business will increase like a pomegranate. One who saw slices of pomegranates in his dream, if he is a Torah scholar, he should anticipate Torah, as it is stated: “I would cause you to drink of spiced wine, of the juice of my pomegranate” (Song of Songs 8:2), which is traditionally understood as an allusion to Torah. And if the dreamer is an ignoramus, he should anticipate mitzvot, as it is stated: “Your temples are like a split pomegranate” (Song of Songs 4:3). As the Gemara previously interpreted homiletically: What is the meaning of the word “Your temples [rakatekh]”? Even the most ignorant [reikanin] among you, Israel, are full of mitzvot like a pomegranate.
הָרוֹאֶה זֵיתִים בַּחֲלוֹם, זוּטְרֵי — פָּרֵי וְרָבֵי וְקָאֵי עִסְקֵיהּ כְּזֵיתִים. וְהָנֵי מִילֵּי פֵּרֵי, אֲבָל אִילָנֵי — הָוְיִין לֵיהּ בָּנִים מְרוּבִּין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בָּנֶיךָ כִּשְׁתִלֵי זֵיתִים וְגוֹ׳״. אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי הָרוֹאֶה זַיִת בַּחֲלוֹם — שֵׁם טוֹב יוֹצֵא לוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״זַיִת רַעֲנָן יְפֵה פְרִי תֹאַר קָרָא ה׳ שְׁמֵךְ״. הָרוֹאֶה שֶׁמֶן זַיִת בַּחֲלוֹם — יְצַפֶּה לִמְאוֹר תּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְיִקְחוּ אֵלֶיךָ שֶׁמֶן זַיִת זָךְ״. הָרוֹאֶה תְּמָרִים בַּחֲלוֹם — תַּמּוּ עֲוֹנוֹתָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״תַּם עֲוֹנֵךְ בַּת צִיּוֹן״.
One who sees olives in a dream, and they were small, it is a sign that his business will flourish, increase and be durable like olives. However, the Gemara adds a caveat, saying that this applies only when he sees the fruit of an olive tree; but, one who sees olive trees, it is a sign that he will have many children, as it is stated: “Your children like olive plants, round about your table” (Psalms 128:3). Some say that one who sees an olive tree in a dream, it is a sign that a good reputation will spread for him, as it is stated: “The Lord called your name a leafy olive tree, fair with goodly fruit” (Jeremiah 11:16). One who sees olive oil in a dream should anticipate the light of Torah, as it is stated: “That they bring unto you pure olive oil beaten for the light” (Exodus 27:20). One who sees palm trees [temarim] in a dream has seen a sign that his transgressions have ceased, as it is stated: “Your iniquity is finished, O daughter of Zion” (Lamentations 4:22), as the Gemara likens temara, date, to tam ra, evil has ceased.
אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף, הָרוֹאֶה עֵז בַּחֲלוֹם — שָׁנָה מִתְבָּרֶכֶת לוֹ, עִזִּים — שָׁנִים מִתְבָּרְכוֹת לוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְדֵי חֲלֵב עִזִּים לְלַחְמְךָ״. הָרוֹאֶה הֲדַס בַּחֲלוֹם — נְכָסָיו מַצְלִיחִין לוֹ. וְאִם אֵין לוֹ נְכָסִים — יְרוּשָּׁה נוֹפֶלֶת לוֹ מִמָּקוֹם אַחֵר. אָמַר עוּלָּא, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ בְּמַתְנִיתָא תָּנָא: וְהוּא דַּחֲזָא בְּכַנַּיְיהוּ. הָרוֹאֶה אֶתְרוֹג בַּחֲלוֹם — הָדוּר הוּא לִפְנֵי קוֹנוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״פְּרִי עֵץ הָדָר כַּפֹּת תְּמָרִים״. הָרוֹאֶה לוּלָב בַּחֲלוֹם — אֵין לוֹ אֶלָּא לֵב אֶחָד לְאָבִיו שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם.
Rav Yosef says: One who sees a goat in a dream, it is a sign that his year will be blessed; one who sees goats, his years will be blessed, as it is stated: “And there will be goats’ milk enough for your food, for the food of your household; and sustenance for your maidens” (Proverbs 27:27). One who sees myrtle in a dream, it is a sign that his property will be successful. And if he does not own property, it is a sign that he will receive an inheritance. Ulla said, and some say it was taught in a baraita: This applies exclusively to a case where he saw them on their stem. One who sees a citron [etrog] in a dream has seen a sign that he is honored [hadur] before his Creator, as it is stated with regard to the citron: “The fruit of goodly trees [hadar], branches of palm trees” (Leviticus 23:40). One who sees a palm branch [lulav] in a dream, it is a sign that he has but one heart for his Father in heaven. Lulav is interpreted homiletically as lo lev, he has a heart.
הָרוֹאֶה אַוּוֹז בַּחֲלוֹם — יְצַפֶּה לְחׇכְמָה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״חׇכְמוֹת בַּחוּץ תָּרֹנָּה״. וְהַבָּא עָלֶיהָ הָוֵי רֹאשׁ יְשִׁיבָה. אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: אֲנִי רְאִיתִיהָ, וּבָאתִי עָלֶיהָ, וּסְלֵקִית לִגְדוּלָּה.
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. 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.
הָרוֹאֶה תַּרְנְגוֹל בַּחֲלוֹם — יְצַפֶּה לְבֵן זָכָר. תַּרְנְגוֹלִים — יְצַפֶּה לְבָנִים זְכָרִים. תַּרְנְגוֹלֶת — יְצַפֶּה לְתַרְבִּיצָה נָאָה וְגִילָה. הָרוֹאֶה בֵּיצִים בַּחֲלוֹם — תְּלוּיָה בַּקָּשָׁתוֹ. נִשְׁתַּבְּרוּ — נַעֲשֵׂית בַּקָּשָׁתוֹ. וְכֵן אֱגוֹזִים, וְכֵן קִשּׁוּאִים, וְכֵן כׇּל כְּלֵי זְכוּכִית, וְכֵן כׇּל הַנִּשְׁבָּרִים כָּאֵלּוּ.
One who sees a rooster in a dream should anticipate a male child. One who sees multiple roosters should expect male children. One who sees a hen [tarnegolet] should anticipate a beautiful garden and reason to rejoice [tarbitza na’a vegila], as tarnegolet is interpreted as an acronym for tarbitza na’a vegila. One who sees eggs in a dream, it is a sign that his request is pending, as egg in Aramaic is beya, which is similar to the term for request. If one saw that the eggs broke, it is a sign that his request has already been granted, as that which was hidden inside the shell was revealed. The same is true of nuts, and the same is true of cucumbers, and the same is true of all glass vessels, and the same is true of anything similarly fragile that broke in his dream, it is a sign that his request was granted.
הַנִּכְנָס לַכְּרַךְ — נַעֲשׂוּ לוֹ חֲפָצָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיַּנְחֵם אֶל מְחוֹז חֶפְצָם״. הַמְגַלֵּחַ רֹאשׁוֹ בַּחֲלוֹם — סִימָן יָפֶה לוֹ. רֹאשׁוֹ וּזְקָנוֹ — לוֹ וּלְכׇל מִשְׁפַּחְתּוֹ.
One who dreams that he entered a city, it is a sign that his desires will be fulfilled, as it is stated: “And He led them unto their desired haven” (Psalms 107:30). One who shaves his head in a dream, it is a good omen for him, as the removal of undesired hairs is a sign of renewal and greatness. If he shaved his head and his beard in a dream, it is a good omen for him and his entire family.
הַיּוֹשֵׁב בַּעֲרֵיבָה קְטַנָּה — שֵׁם טוֹב יוֹצֵא לוֹ. בַּעֲרֵיבָה גְּדוֹלָה — לוֹ וּלְכׇל מִשְׁפַּחְתּוֹ. וְהָנֵי מִילֵּי דְּמִדַּלְיָה דַּלּוֹיֵי.
One who sits in a small boat in a dream, it is a sign that a good reputation will spread for him. If he sees himself sitting in a large boat in a dream, a good reputation will spread for him and his entire family. The Gemara notes that this only applies where the boat was floating high on the waves.
הַנִּפְנֶה בַּחֲלוֹם — סִימָן יָפֶה לוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מִהַר צֹעֶה לְהִפָּתֵחַ״. וְהָנֵי מִילֵּי דְּלָא קַנַּח.
One who defecates in a dream, it is a good omen for him, as it is stated: “He that is bent down shall speedily be loosed; and he shall not go down dying into the pit, neither shall his bread fail” (Isaiah 51:14). The Gemara notes that this only applies where he does not wipe and get his hands dirty.
הָעוֹלֶה לַגַּג בַּחֲלוֹם — עוֹלֶה לִגְדוּלָּה. יָרַד — יוֹרֵד מִגְּדוּלָּתוֹ. אַבָּיֵי וְרָבָא דְּאָמְרִי תַּרְוַויְיהוּ: כֵּיוָן שֶׁעָלָה — עָלָה. הַקּוֹרֵעַ בְּגָדָיו בַּחֲלוֹם — קוֹרְעִים לוֹ גְּזַר דִּינוֹ. הָעוֹמֵד עָרוֹם בַּחֲלוֹם, בְּבָבֶל — עוֹמֵד בְּלֹא חֵטְא. בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל — עָרוֹם בְּלֹא מִצְוֹת. הַנִּתְפָּס לְסַרְדְּיוֹט — שְׁמִירָה נַעֲשֵׂית לוֹ. נְתָנוּהוּ בְּקוֹלָר — הוֹסִיפוּ לוֹ שְׁמִירָה עַל שְׁמִירָתוֹ. וְהָנֵי מִילֵּי בְּקוֹלָר, אֲבָל חַבְלָא בְּעָלְמָא — לָא.
One who climbs up to the roof in a dream, it is a sign that he will ascend to greatness. If, after he climbed up, he climbed back down, it is a sign that he will descend from the greatness he achieved. Abaye and Rava both said: Once one ascended to the roof in his dream, he ascended, and even if he dreams that he descended, it remains a good omen for him. One who rips his clothing in a dream, it is a sign that they rip up his sentence. One who stands naked in Babylonia in a dream, it is a sign that he stands free of transgression. Although living outside Israel is itself a transgression, his nakedness symbolizes that he has been absolved of that sin. If one dreamed that he stood naked in Eretz Yisrael, it is a sign that he is naked without mitzvot. One who dreams that he was apprehended and guarded by a soldier [sardeyot], it is a sign that protection was provided him by heaven. If he sees that he is wearing a neck chain [kolar], it is a sign that they have increased his level of protection. However, the Gemara notes that this only applies to a case where his neck was placed in a neck chain; if his neck was simply placed in a noose, it does not indicate heavenly protection.
הַנִּכְנָס לַאֲגַם בַּחֲלוֹם — נַעֲשֶׂה רֹאשׁ יְשִׁיבָה. לְיַעַר — נַעֲשֶׂה רֹאשׁ לִבְנֵי כַלָּה.
One who enters a marsh in a dream, it is a sign that he will become head of a yeshiva, as he appears to be standing alone with all the bulrushes, large and small, surrounding him like the head of a yeshiva, around whom all the students gather. One who dreams that he entered a forest and sees only large trees around him, it is a sign that he will be made head of only the advanced students [kalla], where he will explain the lessons only to the outstanding students in the yeshiva, each of whom is himself a great tree, set apart from the others.
רַב פָּפָּא וְרַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יְהוֹשֻׁעַ חֲזוֹ חֶלְמָא: רַב פָּפָּא דְּעָיֵיל לְאַגְמָא — נַעֲשָׂה רֹאשׁ יְשִׁיבָה. רַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יְהוֹשֻׁעַ דְּעָיֵיל לְיַעַר — נַעֲשָׂה רֹאשׁ לִבְנֵי כַּלָּה. אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי תַּרְוַויְיהוּ לְאַגְמָא עָיְילִי, אֶלָּא רַב פָּפָּא דִּתְלֵי טַבְלָא — נַעֲשָׂה רֹאשׁ יְשִׁיבָה, רַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יְהוֹשֻׁעַ דְּלָא תְּלֵי טַבְלָא — נַעֲשָׂה רֹאשׁ לִבְנֵי כַּלָּה. אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: אֲנָא עֲיַילִית לְאַגְמָא וּתְלַאי טַבְלָא וְנַבַּחִי בַּהּ נַבּוֹחֵי.
The Gemara relates: Rav Pappa and Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, each saw a dream: Rav Pappa, who saw that he entered a marsh in his dream, was appointed head of a yeshiva. Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, who saw that he entered a forest in his dream, was appointed head of the advanced students. Some say that both of them dreamed that they entered a marsh, but Rav Pappa, who dreamed that a drum hung from his neck, was appointed head of the yeshiva, as banging a drum symbolizes the head of a yeshiva who sounds his voice in public. Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, who did not dream that a drum hung around his neck, was only appointed head of the advanced students. Rav Ashi said: I dreamed that I entered a marsh and hung a drum and beat it, and Rav Ashi became head of the yeshiva.
תָּנֵי תַּנָּא קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: הַמַּקִּיז דָּם בַּחֲלוֹם — עֲוֹנוֹתָיו מְחוּלִין לוֹ.
The tanna who recited mishnayot before Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak taught: One who lets blood in a dream, it is a sign that his transgressions have been forgiven, because red, the color of blood, is a metaphor for sin: “Though your sins be as scarlet…though they be red like crimson” (Isaiah 1:18). Consequently, bloodletting can symbolize transgressions leaving him.
וְהָתַנְיָא: עֲוֹנוֹתָיו סְדוּרִין לוֹ! מַאי סְדוּרִין — סְדוּרִין לִימָּחֵל.
The Gemara asks: Was it not taught in a baraita: One who sees that he is letting-blood in a dream, it is a sign that his transgressions are enumerated before him? The Gemara answers: What is meant by enumerated? This means that they are enumerated to be forgiven.
תָּנֵי תַּנָּא קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב שֵׁשֶׁת: הָרוֹאֶה נָחָשׁ בַּחֲלוֹם פַּרְנָסָתוֹ מְזוּמֶּנֶת לוֹ. נְשָׁכוֹ — נִכְפְּלָה לוֹ. הֲרָגוֹ — אָבְדָה פַּרְנָסָתוֹ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב שֵׁשֶׁת: כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן שֶׁנִּכְפְּלָה פַּרְנָסָתוֹ. וְלָא הִיא, רַב שֵׁשֶׁת הוּא דַּחֲזָא חִוְיָא בְּחֶלְמֵיהּ וְקַטְלֵיהּ.
The tanna who recited mishnayot before Rav Sheshet taught: One who sees a snake in a dream, it is a sign that his livelihood is accessible to him just as dust is readily accessible to a snake. If one saw that the snake bit him in his dream, it is a sign that his livelihood will double. If he killed the snake, it is a sign that he will lose his livelihood. Rav Sheshet said to the tanna: On the contrary, if one dreamed that he killed the snake it is a sign that all the more so his livelihood will double. The Gemara remarks: But that is not so. Rav Sheshet saw a snake in his dream and killed it, so he sought to interpret his dream positively.
תָּנֵי תַּנָּא קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כׇּל מִינֵי מַשְׁקִין יָפִין לַחֲלוֹם חוּץ מִן הַיַּיִן, יֵשׁ שׁוֹתֵהוּ וְטוֹב לוֹ, וְיֵשׁ שׁוֹתֵהוּ וְרַע לוֹ. יֵשׁ שׁוֹתֵהוּ וְטוֹב לוֹ — שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְיַיִן יְשַׂמַּח לְבַב אֱנוֹשׁ״, וְיֵשׁ שׁוֹתֵהוּ וְרַע לוֹ — שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״תְּנוּ שֵׁכָר לְאוֹבֵד וְיַיִן לְמָרֵי נָפֶשׁ״.
The tanna who recited mishnayot before Rabbi Yoḥanan taught: One who sees any kind of drink in a dream it is a good omen, except for wine, as there is one who drinks it in a dream and it is a good omen for him, and there is one who drinks it in a dream and it is a bad omen for him. The Gemara elaborates: There is one who drinks wine and it is a good omen for him, as it is stated: “And wine that makes glad the heart of man” (Psalms 104:15), and there is one who drinks it in a dream and it is a bad omen for him, as it is stated: “Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish and wine unto the bitter in soul” (Proverbs 31:6).
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן לְתַנָּא: תְּנִי: תַּלְמִיד חָכָם לְעוֹלָם טוֹב לוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לְכוּ לַחֲמוּ בְלַחֲמִי וּשְׁתוּ בְּיַיִן מָסָכְתִּי״.
Rabbi Yoḥanan said to the tanna: You should teach that for a Torah scholar, a dream of wine is always a good omen, as it is stated: “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine which I have mingled” (Proverbs 9:5).
אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: הִשְׁכִּים וְנָפַל פָּסוּק לְתוֹךְ פִּיו — הֲרֵי זֶה נְבוּאָה קְטַנָּה. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן, שְׁלֹשָׁה מְלָכִים הֵם: הָרוֹאֶה דָּוִד בַּחֲלוֹם — יְצַפֶּה לַחֲסִידוּת. שְׁלֹמֹה — יְצַפֶּה לְחׇכְמָה. אַחְאָב — יִדְאַג מִן הַפּוּרְעָנוּת.
Rabbi Yoḥanan said: One who awakened in the morning and a verse immediately falls into his mouth, it is a minor prophecy. The Sages taught: There are three kings whose appearance in a dream is significant. One who sees David in a dream should expect piety; one who sees Solomon should expect wisdom; and one who sees Ahab should be concerned about calamity.
שְׁלֹשָׁה נְבִיאִים הֵם: הָרוֹאֶה סֵפֶר מְלָכִים — יְצַפֶּה לִגְדוּלָּה. יְחֶזְקֵאל — יְצַפֶּה לְחׇכְמָה. יְשַׁעְיָה — יְצַפֶּה לְנֶחָמָה. יִרְמְיָה — יִדְאַג מִן הַפּוּרְעָנוּת.
There are also three books of Prophets whose appearance in a dream is meaningful: One who sees the book of Kings should anticipate greatness, royalty; one who sees the book of Ezekiel should anticipate wisdom, as the configuration of the Divine Chariot is described therein; one who sees the book of Isaiah should anticipate consolation; and one who sees the book of Jeremiah should be concerned about calamity, because Jeremiah prophesied extensively of impending calamity.
שְׁלֹשָׁה כְּתוּבִים גְּדוֹלִים הֵם: הָרוֹאֶה סֵפֶר תְּהִלִּים — יְצַפֶּה לַחֲסִידוּת, מִשְׁלֵי — יְצַפֶּה לְחׇכְמָה, אִיּוֹב — יִדְאַג מִן הַפּוּרְעָנוּת.
Similarly, there are three great books of Writings whose appearance in a dream has particular significance: One who sees the book of Psalms should anticipate piety; one who sees the book of Proverbs should anticipate wisdom; one who sees the book of Job should be concerned about calamity.
שְׁלֹשָׁה כְּתוּבִים קְטַנִּים הֵם: הָרוֹאֶה שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים בַּחֲלוֹם — יְצַפֶּה לַחֲסִידוּת. קֹהֶלֶת — יְצַפֶּה לְחׇכְמָה. קִינוֹת — יִדְאַג מִן הַפּוּרְעָנוּת. הָרוֹאֶה מְגִלַּת אֶסְתֵּר — נֵס נַעֲשָׂה לוֹ.
There are also three minor books of Writings whose appearance in a dream is significant: One who sees Song of Songs in a dream should anticipate piety, as it describes God’s love for Israel; one who sees Ecclesiastes should anticipate wisdom; one who sees Lamentations should be concerned about calamity; and one who sees the scroll of Esther, it is a sign that a miracle will be performed on his behalf.
שְׁלֹשָׁה חֲכָמִים הֵם: הָרוֹאֶה רַבִּי בַּחֲלוֹם — יְצַפֶּה לְחׇכְמָה. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן עֲזַרְיָה — יְצַפֶּה לַעֲשִׁירוּת. רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל בֶּן אֱלִישָׁע — יִדְאַג מִן הַפּוּרְעָנוּת.
There are three Sages whose appearance in a dream is significant: One who sees Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi in a dream should anticipate wisdom; one who sees Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya should anticipate wealth, as he was particularly wealthy; and one who sees Rabbi Yishmael ben Elisha should be concerned about calamity, as he was one of the ten martyrs executed by the Romans.
שְׁלֹשָׁה תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים הֵם: הָרוֹאֶה בֶּן עַזַּאי בַּחֲלוֹם — יְצַפֶּה לַחֲסִידוּת. בֶּן זוֹמָא — יְצַפֶּה לְחׇכְמָה. אַחֵר — יִדְאַג מִן הַפּוּרְעָנוּת.
There are three Torah scholars who, despite their greatness in Torah, were never given the title Rabbi, and whose appearance in a dream is significant: One who sees Ben Azzai in a dream should anticipate piety; one who sees Ben Zoma should anticipate wisdom; and one who sees Aḥer, Elisha ben Avuya, should be concerned about calamity, as he strayed from the path of righteousness.
כׇּל מִינֵי חַיּוֹת יָפוֹת לַחֲלוֹם, חוּץ מִן הַפִּיל וְהַקּוֹף וְהַקִּפּוֹד. וְהָאָמַר מָר, הָרוֹאֶה פִּיל בַּחֲלוֹם פֶּלֶא נַעֲשָׂה לוֹ! לָא קַשְׁיָא, הָא דִּמְסָרַג, הָא דְּלָא מְסָרַג.
The Gemara says: All types of animals are auspicious signs for a dream except for an elephant, a monkey and a long-tailed ape. The Gemara asks: Didn’t the Master say: A miracle will be performed for one who sees an elephant in a dream? The Gemara answers: This is not difficult. This statement that a vision of an elephant is a good omen refers to a case where it is saddled, while this statement that it is not a good omen refers to a case where it is not saddled.
כׇּל מִינֵי מַתֶּכֶת יָפִין לַחֲלוֹם, חוּץ מִמָּר, פְּסָל, וְקַרְדּוֹם. וְהָנֵי מִילֵּי דַּחֲזַנְהוּ בְּקַתַּיְיהוּ. כׇּל מִינֵי פֵּירוֹת יָפִין לַחֲלוֹם, חוּץ מִפַּגֵּי תְמָרָה. כׇּל מִינֵי יְרָקוֹת יָפִין לַחֲלוֹם, חוּץ מֵרָאשֵׁי לְפָתוֹת. וְהָאָמַר רַב: לָא אִיעַתַּרִי עַד דַּחֲזַאי רָאשַׁי לְפָתוֹת! כִּי חֲזָא — בְּכַנַּיְיהוּ חֲזָא. כׇּל מִינֵי צִבְעוֹנִין יָפִין לַחֲלוֹם, חוּץ מִן הַתְּכֵלֶת. כׇּל מִינֵי עוֹפוֹת יָפִין לַחֲלוֹם, חוּץ מִן קַרְיָא וְקִפּוֹפָא וְקוּרְפְּרַאי.
Similarly, the Gemara says: All types of metal utensils are auspicious signs for a dream, except for a hoe, a chisel, and an axe, as these are instruments of destruction. The Gemara notes that this applies specifically when they are seen on their handles. On a similar note, the Gemara says: All kinds of fruit are auspicious signs for a dream except for unripe dates. All kinds of vegetables are auspicious signs for a dream except for turnip heads. The Gemara challenges: Didn’t Rav say: I did not become wealthy until I saw turnip heads in my dream? Apparently turnip heads are a good omen. The Gemara responds: When Rav saw them, he saw them on their stems; if one sees turnip heads already picked, it is a bad omen. Similarly, all kinds of colors are auspicious signs for a dream, except for sky-blue [tekhelet]. All kinds of birds are auspicious signs in a dream except for an eagle-owl, and an owl, and a kurferai, all of which are nocturnal and have strange and frightening appearances.
(הַגּוּף, הַגּוּף, מֵעֵין, מְשִׁיבִין, וּמַרְחִיבִין, סִימָן).
The words: The body, the body, microcosm, ease, and comfort are mnemonics for matters that the Gemara will discuss, each of which represents a list with shared qualities, similar to the lists cited above.
שְׁלֹשָׁה נִכְנָסִין לַגּוּף, וְאֵין הַגּוּף נֶהֱנֶה מֵהֶן: גּוּדְגְּדָנִיּוֹת, וְכַפְנִיּוֹת, וּפַגֵּי תְמָרָה. שְׁלֹשָׁה אֵין נִכְנָסִין לַגּוּף, וְהַגּוּף נֶהֱנֶה מֵהֶן, אֵלּוּ הֵן: רְחִיצָה, וְסִיכָה, וְתַשְׁמִישׁ. שְׁלֹשָׁה מֵעֵין הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, אֵלּוּ הֵן: שַׁבָּת, שֶׁמֶשׁ, וְתַשְׁמִישׁ.
The Gemara says: Three food items enter the body yet the body does not benefit from them: Cherries, bad dates, and unripe dates. In contrast: Three matters do not enter the body yet the body benefits from them, and they are: Washing, anointing, and usage [tashmish], commonly used as a euphemism for conjugal relations. Three matters are microcosms of the World-to-Come, and they are: Sabbath, the sun and usage.
תַּשְׁמִישׁ דְּמַאי? אִילֵּימָא תַּשְׁמִישׁ הַמִּטָּה — הָא מִכְחָשׁ כָּחֵישׁ! אֶלָּא תַּשְׁמִישׁ נְקָבִים.
The Gemara asks: Usage of what benefits the body and is a microcosm of the World-to-Come? If you say that it refers to conjugal relations, doesn’t that weaken the body? Rather, it refers to usage of his orifices, relieving oneself.
שְׁלֹשָׁה מְשִׁיבִין דַּעְתּוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם, אֵלּוּ הֵן: קוֹל, וּמַרְאֶה, וָרֵיחַ. שְׁלֹשָׁה מַרְחִיבִין דַּעְתּוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם, אֵלּוּ הֵן: דִּירָה נָאָה, וְאִשָּׁה נָאָה, וְכֵלִים נָאִים.
Three matters ease one’s mind, and they are: Voice, sight, and smell, when they are pleasant and aesthetic. Three matters give a person comfort, and they are: A beautiful abode, a beautiful wife, and beautiful vessels.
חֲמִשָּׁה וְשִׁשָּׁה וַעֲשָׂרָה סִימָן: חֲמִשָּׁה אֶחָד מִשִּׁשִּׁים, אֵלּוּ הֵן: אֵשׁ, דְּבַשׁ, וְשַׁבָּת, וְשֵׁינָה, וַחֲלוֹם. אֵשׁ — אֶחָד מִשִּׁשִּׁים לְגֵיהִנָּם. דְּבַשׁ — אֶחָד מִשִּׁשִּׁים לַמָּן. שַׁבָּת — אֶחָד מִשִּׁשִּׁים לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. שֵׁינָה — אֶחָד מִשִּׁשִּׁים לַמִּיתָה. חֲלוֹם — אֶחָד מִשִּׁשִּׁים לַנְּבוּאָה.
The numbers five, six, and ten are mnemonics for the categories to follow. The Gemara says: There are five matters in our world which are one-sixtieth of their most extreme manifestations. They are: Fire, honey, Shabbat, sleep, and a dream. The Gemara elaborates: Our fire is one-sixtieth of the fire of Gehenna; honey is one-sixtieth of manna; Shabbat is one-sixtieth of the World-to-Come; sleep is one-sixtieth of death; and a dream is one-sixtieth of prophecy.
שִׁשָּׁה דְּבָרִים סִימָן יָפֶה לַחוֹלֶה, אֵלּוּ הֵן: עִטּוּשׁ, זֵיעָה, שִׁלְשׁוּל, קֶרִי, וְשֵׁינָה, וַחֲלוֹם. עִטּוּשׁ — דִּכְתִיב: ״עֲטִישׁוֹתָיו תָּהֵל אוֹר״. זֵיעָה — דִּכְתִיב: ״בְּזֵעַת אַפֶּיךָ תֹּאכַל לֶחֶם״. שִׁלְשׁוּל — דִּכְתִיב: ״מִהַר צֹעֶה לְהִפָּתֵחַ וְלֹא יָמוּת לַשַּׁחַת״. קֶרִי — דִּכְתִיב: ״יִרְאֶה זֶרַע יַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים״. שֵׁינָה — דִּכְתִיב: ״יָשַׁנְתִּי אָז יָנוּחַ לִי״. חֲלוֹם — דִּכְתִיב: ״וְתַחֲלִימֵנִי וְהַחֲיֵנִי״.
Similarly: Six matters are good omens for the sick: Sneezing, sweating, diarrhea, a seminal emission, sleep, and a dream. These are all alluded to in Scripture: Sneezing, as it is written: “His sneezes flash forth light” (Job 41:10), indicating that by means of a sneeze one comes to see the light of the world. Sweat, as it is written: “In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread” (Genesis 3:19). Diarrhea, as it is written: “He that is bent down shall speedily be loosed; and he shall not go down dying into the pit” (Isaiah 51:14). A seminal emission, as it is written: “That he might see his seed, prolong his days” (Isaiah 53:10). Sleep, as it is written: “I should have slept; then had I been at rest” (Job 3:13). A dream, as it is written: “Wherefore You recover me [vataḥalimeni], and make me to live” (Isaiah 38:16); vataḥalimeni is interpreted as etymologically similar to ḥalom, dream.
שִׁשָּׁה דְּבָרִים מְרַפְּאִין אֶת הַחוֹלֶה מֵחׇלְיוֹ וּרְפוּאָתוֹ רְפוּאָה, אֵלּוּ הֵן: כְּרוּב, וּתְרָדִין, וְסִיסִין יְבֵשִׁין, וְקֵיבָה, וְהֶרֶת, וְיוֹתֶרֶת הַכָּבֵד. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: אַף דָּגִים קְטַנִּים. וְלָא עוֹד, אֶלָּא שֶׁדָּגִים קְטַנִּים מַפְרִין וּמַבְרִין כׇּל גּוּפוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם.
Similarly: Six matters cure a sick person from his illness, and their cure is an effective cure. They are: Cabbage, beets, dried foley, a medicinal plant, the stomach, the placenta, and the diaphragm of an animal. Some say that small fish also possess these qualities. Furthermore, small fish cause one’s entire body to flourish and become healthy.
עֲשָׂרָה דְּבָרִים מַחֲזִירִין אֶת הַחוֹלֶה לְחׇלְיוֹ, וְחׇלְיוֹ קָשֶׁה, אֵלּוּ הֵן: הָאוֹכֵל בְּשַׂר שׁוֹר, בָּשָׂר שָׁמֵן, בְּשַׂר צָלִי, בְּשַׂר צִפֳּרִים, וּבֵיצָה צְלוּיָה, וְתִגְלַחַת, וְשַׁחֲלַיִם, וְהֶחָלָב, וְהַגְּבִינָה וְהַמֶּרְחָץ. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים אַף אֱגוֹזִים. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים אַף קִשּׁוּאִים.
In contrast, there are ten matters that cause a sick person who has recovered to suffer a relapse of his illness, and his illness is even more severe, and they are: Eating ox meat, eating fatty meat in general, eating roasted meat, eating poultry, eating a roasted egg, shaving, eating cress, drinking milk, eating cheese, and bathing in a bathhouse. And some say eating nuts, and some say even eating cucumbers.
תָּנָא דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: לָמָּה נִקְרָא שְׁמָן קִשּׁוּאִים — מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהֵן קָשִׁין לַגּוּף כַּחֲרָבוֹת. אִינִי, וְהָכְתִיב: ״וַיֹּאמֶר ה׳ לָהּ שְׁנֵי גוֹיִם בְּבִטְנֵךְ״: אַל תִּקְרֵי ״גּוֹיִם״ אֶלָּא ״גֵּיִים״, וְאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: אֵלּוּ אַנְטוֹנִינוּס וְרַבִּי, שֶׁלֹּא פָּסַק מִשֻּׁלְחָנָם לֹא צְנוֹן וְלֹא חֲזֶרֶת וְלֹא קִשּׁוּאִין, לֹא בִּימוֹת הַחַמָּה וְלֹא בִּימוֹת הַגְּשָׁמִים.
It was taught in the school of Rabbi Yishmael: Why are they called cucumbers [kishu’im]? Because they are as harmful [kashim] to the body as swords. The Gemara asks: Is that really so? Is it not written: “And the Lord said unto her: Two nations [goyim] are in your womb” (Genesis 25:23) and the Gemara says: Do not read it as goyim, rather read it as gayim, proud ones. And Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: This verse was fulfilled in these two great individuals who descended from Rebecca: Antoninus and Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, whose tables, because of their wealth, never lacked for radish, lettuce or cucumbers, neither in summer nor in the rainy season. Apparently, cucumbers are good and are even a delicacy of kings.
לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא בְּרַבְרְבֵי, הָא בְּזוּטְרֵי.
The Gemara resolves: This is not difficult. This that says they are harmful to the body refers to large ones, while this that says they were always served on the table of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi and Antoninus refers to small ones.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: מֵת בַּבַּיִת — שָׁלוֹם בַּבַּיִת. אָכַל וְשָׁתָה בַּבַּיִת — סִימָן יָפֶה לַבַּיִת. נָטַל כֵּלִים מִן הַבַּיִת — סִימָן רַע לַבַּיִת. תַּרְגְּמַהּ רַב פָּפָּא בִּמְסָאנָא וְסַנְדָּלָא. כֹּל דְּשָׁקֵיל שָׁכְבָא — מְעַלֵּי, בַּר מִמְּסָאנָא וְסַנְדָּלָא. כׇּל דְּיָהֵיב שָׁכְבָא — מְעַלֵּי, בַּר מֵעַפְרָא וְחַרְדְּלָא.
With regard to dreams, the Sages taught: One who dreams that he sees a corpse in his house, it is a sign of peace in his house. If the corpse ate and drank in the house, it is good omen for the house. If the corpse removed vessels from the house, it is a bad omen for the house, as it suggests that the corpse is taking someone from the house with him. Rav Pappa explained this only if the dream was with regard to a shoe and a sandal, as that indicates that someone from the house is going to embark on a long journey. As the Sages said: Everything that a corpse takes in a dream is a good omen except a shoe and a sandal; everything that a corpse gives in a dream is a good omen except dust and mustard, which looks like dust, as they portend burial.
מָקוֹם שֶׁנֶּעֶקְרָה מִמֶּנּוּ עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: הָרוֹאֶה מַרְקוּלִיס, אוֹמֵר: ״בָּרוּךְ … שֶׁנָּתַן אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם לְעוֹבְרֵי רְצוֹנוֹ״. מָקוֹם שֶׁנֶּעֶקְרָה מִמֶּנּוּ עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, אוֹמֵר: ״בָּרוּךְ … שֶׁעָקַר עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה מֵאַרְצֵנוּ. וּכְשֵׁם שֶׁנֶּעֶקְרָה מִמָּקוֹם זֶה כֵּן תֵּעָקֵר מִכׇּל מְקוֹמוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְהָשֵׁב לֵב עוֹבְדֵיהֶם לְעׇבְדֶךָ״. וּבְחוּץ לָאָרֶץ אֵין צָרִיךְ לוֹמַר ״וְהָשֵׁב לֵב עוֹבְדֵיהֶם לְעׇבְדֶךָ״ מִפְּנֵי שֶׁרוּבָּהּ גּוֹיִים. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: אַף בְּחוּץ לָאָרֶץ צָרִיךְ לוֹמַר כֵּן, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁעֲתִידִים לְהִתְגַּיֵּיר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אָז אֶהְפֹּךְ אֶל עַמִּים שָׂפָה בְרוּרָה״.
We learned in the mishna that one who sees a place from which idolatry was eradicated should recite the blessing: Blessed…Who eradicated idolatry from our land. On this topic the Sages taught in the Tosefta: One who sees the idol called Mercury [Markulis] recites: Blessed…who has shown patience to those who violate His will, as each day new rocks would be thrown upon the pile constructed in Mercury’ honor (Tosafot). One who sees a place from which idolatry was eradicated should recite: Blessed…Who eradicated idolatry from our land. And just as it was eradicated from this place, so too may it be eradicated from all places of Israel, and restore the hearts of their worshippers to worship You. Outside of Eretz Yisrael, one need not recite: And restore the hearts of their worshippers to worship You, since it is predominantly populated by gentiles. Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: Even outside of Eretz Yisrael one is required to recite that formula because in the end of days all nations will convert, as it is stated: “For then will I turn to the peoples a pure language, that they may all call upon the Name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent” (Zephaniah 3:9).
דָּרַשׁ רַב הַמְנוּנָא: הָרוֹאֶה בָּבֶל הָרְשָׁעָה צָרִיךְ לְבָרֵךְ חָמֵשׁ בְּרָכוֹת. רָאָה בָּבֶל, אוֹמֵר: ״בָּרוּךְ … שֶׁהֶחֱרִיב בָּבֶל הָרְשָׁעָה״. רָאָה בֵּיתוֹ שֶׁל נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר, אוֹמֵר: ״בָּרוּךְ … שֶׁהֶחֱרִיב בֵּיתוֹ שֶׁל נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר הָרָשָׁע״. רָאָה גּוֹב שֶׁל אֲרָיוֹת אוֹ כִּבְשַׁן הָאֵשׁ, אוֹמֵר: ״בָּרוּךְ … שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה״. רָאָה מַרְקוּלִיס, אוֹמֵר: ״בָּרוּךְ … שֶׁנָּתַן אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם לְעוֹבְרֵי רְצוֹנוֹ״. רָאָה מָקוֹם שֶׁנּוֹטְלִין מִמֶּנּוּ עָפָר, אוֹמֵר: ״בָּרוּךְ … אוֹמֵר וְעוֹשֶׂה גּוֹזֵר וּמְקַיֵּים״.
The Gemara goes on to discuss special blessings instituted by the Sages to be recited upon seeing extraordinary sights. Rav Hamnuna taught: One who sees the wicked Babylonia must recite five blessings. The Gemara elaborates:
One who saw the ruins of Babylonia, recites: Blessed…Who destroyed the wicked Babylonia.
One who saw the ruins of Nebuchadnezzar’s house, recites: Blessed…Who destroyed the house of wicked Nebuchadnezzar.
One who saw the lion’s den into which Daniel was thrown (see Daniel ch. 6) or the furnace into which Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were thrown (see Daniel ch. 3), recites: Blessed…Who performed miracles for our ancestors in this place.
One who saw Mercury, recites: Blessed…Who has shown patience to those who violate His will.
One who saw a place from which earth is taken, as over the generations earth was taken from certain places and used as fertilizer or for construction in the surrounding areas, recites: Blessed…Who speaks and acts, decrees and fulfills.
רָבָא כִּי הֲוָה חָזֵי חֲמָרֵי דְּשָׁקְלִי עַפְרָא, טָרֵיף לְהוּ יְדָא עַל גַּבַּיְיהוּ, וְאָמַר: רְהוּטוּ צַדִּיקֵי לְמֶעְבַּד רְעוּתָא דְמָרַיְיכוּ. מָר בְּרֵיהּ דְּרָבִינָא כִּי הֲוָה מָטֵי לְבָבֶל הֲוָה שָׁקֵיל עַפְרָא בְּסוּדָרֵיהּ וְשָׁדֵי לְבַרָּא, לְקַיֵּים מַה שֶּׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וְטֵאטֵאתִיהָ בְּמַטְאֲטֵא הַשְׁמֵד״. אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: אֲנָא, הָא דְּרַב הַמְנוּנָא לָא שְׁמִיעַ לִי, אֶלָּא מִדַּעְתַּאי בָּרֵיכְתִּינְהוּ לְכוּלְּהוּ.
The Gemara relates that when Rava would see donkeys carrying earth from Babylonia, he would slap their backs with his hand and say to them: Run, righteous ones, and fulfill the will of your Master. When Mar, son of Ravina, would arrive in Babylonia he would take earth in his kerchief and throw it outside, to fulfill that which is said: “And I will sweep it with the broom of destruction” (Isaiah 14:23). Rav Ashi said: I never heard the statement of Rav Hamnuna, that one who sees Babylonia the wicked must recite five blessings. However, based on my independent reasoning, I recited all of the blessings.
