אות - רסב

This was also found among the manuscripts of one of our group: There is a type of grace ( chen ) that enables a man to see the future in dreams. If a man has this grace, he can ask for a vision and perceive the future in a dream.

The Talmud teaches, “Just as grain cannot exist without chaff, so dreams cannot exist without nonsense” ( Berakhot 55a) . Dreams contain predictions of the future, but they are intertwined with much worthless chaff.

There is also the clear dream of the prophet, regarding which it is written, “In a dream I will speak to him” (Numbers 12:6) . This is the dream of the man who has grace. Such a man can also predict the future through the dreams of another. When he hears the other’s dream, the worthless chaff falls away and only the clear vision falls upon his ears.

Joseph had such grace. He is called “a fruitful son by the fountain” (Genesis 49:22) . Rashi explains that his fruitfulness was that of grace. Joseph therefore had accurate dreams and was able to interpret and make use of them. These dreams are also included in the Torah. The Torah teaches us that Joseph had a unique ability for interpreting dreams.