Post by Tulameen on Nov 5, 2003 21:34:29 GMT -5
BeHa'alotecha: Prophetic Dreams
In contrast to the unique clarity of Moses' prophecy, ordinary prophecy is bestowed through the medium of dreams:
"If someone among you experiences divine prophecy, I will make Myself known to him in a vision, I will speak to him in a dream." [Num. 12:6]
What is so special about dreams?
Dreams serve an important function in the world. Great dreams, Rav Kook wrote, are the foundation of the universe. Dreams exist on many levels: the prophetic dreams mentioned above; the conscious dreaming of poets; the visions of great thinkers for a better world; and our national aspirations, "When God will return the captivity of Zion, we will be like dreamers." [Ps. 126:1]
Of course, not every dream falls under the category of a great dream. Some dreams are inconsequential. "Dreams speak falsely." [Zechariah 10:2] What determines whether a dream is prophetic or trivial?
A true servant of God concentrates his aspirations and efforts towards benefiting the entire world. When one's thoughts and actions are occupied exclusively with perfecting all of creation, then the imagination is only stimulated by matters relating to the universal reality. Such an individual's dreams will be of great significance, linked to the truth of reality in the past, present, and future.
On the other hand, if one is preoccupied with private concerns, then his imaginative faculties will be limited, like his thoughts, to personal issues. What truth could be revealed in imaginings that never succeed in ascending beyond egocentric thoughts and wishes? As the Sages expressed it, prophetic dreams come via angels - universal forces pre-set to perfect the world. False dreams come via demons - unholy forces with private goals, inconsistent with the overall universal order. [Brachot 55]
From www.geocities.com/m_yericho/ravkook/BEHAAL63.htm
In contrast to the unique clarity of Moses' prophecy, ordinary prophecy is bestowed through the medium of dreams:
"If someone among you experiences divine prophecy, I will make Myself known to him in a vision, I will speak to him in a dream." [Num. 12:6]
What is so special about dreams?
Dreams serve an important function in the world. Great dreams, Rav Kook wrote, are the foundation of the universe. Dreams exist on many levels: the prophetic dreams mentioned above; the conscious dreaming of poets; the visions of great thinkers for a better world; and our national aspirations, "When God will return the captivity of Zion, we will be like dreamers." [Ps. 126:1]
Of course, not every dream falls under the category of a great dream. Some dreams are inconsequential. "Dreams speak falsely." [Zechariah 10:2] What determines whether a dream is prophetic or trivial?
A true servant of God concentrates his aspirations and efforts towards benefiting the entire world. When one's thoughts and actions are occupied exclusively with perfecting all of creation, then the imagination is only stimulated by matters relating to the universal reality. Such an individual's dreams will be of great significance, linked to the truth of reality in the past, present, and future.
On the other hand, if one is preoccupied with private concerns, then his imaginative faculties will be limited, like his thoughts, to personal issues. What truth could be revealed in imaginings that never succeed in ascending beyond egocentric thoughts and wishes? As the Sages expressed it, prophetic dreams come via angels - universal forces pre-set to perfect the world. False dreams come via demons - unholy forces with private goals, inconsistent with the overall universal order. [Brachot 55]
From www.geocities.com/m_yericho/ravkook/BEHAAL63.htm