6. Dream Interpretation in Jewish Culture
626 Words
Dream interpretation records dating back six millennia have been found in Assyria and Babylon on clay tablets.
A book from two millennia ago has been found in Egypt.
The writing style is HIEROGLYPHIC.
It's called the CHESTER BEATTY PAPYRUS.
Beyond Egypt and Babylonia, Jewish culture has contributed significantly to humankind.
Abraham, the Jewish forefather, pioneered a new way of life based on monotheism that influenced Jewish civilization.
Abraham gave the name 'El' to the God in whom he believed.
(This was the name of the greatest god among the Canaanite people.)
"El" wasn't a local deity to them.
"El" alludes to the one supreme God.
Abraham leads a group that practices monotheism.
He imposed compulsory "circumcision" on the male members of society.
Having a different pattern of existence than other existing societies.
Abraham's leadership led to the formation of a new community.
What additional traits did this unique group of people share at the time?
Genesis 24, verse 63, describes Abraham's son Isaac meditating in an open place.
Only those who have mentally prepared themselves through meditation and lifestyle choices can have predictive dreams.
These visible preparations can be traced back to the beginnings of Jewish ritual.
Another specialty is the Jews' desire to maintain a unified identity.
Though it is possible to locate a wife among other peoples, Genesis 20:11 states that Abraham's wife Sarah is his half-sister, having been born to his father by another woman.
Similarly, Abraham's son, Isaac, married into his paternal family.
Thus, when Abraham's descendants, who differed from other peoples in faith, customs, and way of life, were claimed to be direct descendants of the Highest God from Abraham to Isaac, the Hierarchy turned to Jacob, who had a profound dream.
Jacob was on a long journey.
The destination was his uncle Laban's house.
Jacob's twin brother, Esau, had just married two Canaanite women.
It was a dishonorable deed that shamed his parents, Rebekah and Isaac.
Rebekah warns her husband Isaac that if Jacob had done the same thing as his brother Esau, she would not want to live much longer.
Isaac panics and forces Jacob to go to his brother-in-law's residence.
Isaac persuaded him to marry one of Laban's daughters and live away for a while.
Jacob began walking.
There is a long way to go.
It's sunset, and darkness has fallen.
Jacob slept on a stone he found on the side of the road as a pillow.
During his sleep, he had an incredible dream.
A ladder that connects earth and heaven.
He noticed God's angels moving down and up the stairs.
Above the ladder, he noticed Abraham's God standing.
God said, "I am the God of your fathers, Abraham and Isaac."
I will give you the land surrounding you as an inheritance for you and your children.
Your descendants will spread and multiply over the planet.
Genesis 28:12.
As an analysis, we may notice three distinct symbolisms in this dream.
1. A stairway leading from Earth to Heaven.
2. Abraham's God stands at the top of the stairs, followed by his promises.
3. Angels climb and descend the ladder.
The ladder from earth to heaven could be seen as a symbol of Jewish tradition.
There is a direct line of descent from God in heaven to Abraham on Earth, then Isaac, and lastly, Jacob.
In genetics, DNA, the basis of heredity, is shaped like a ladder.
Despite the fact that Abraham's God is standing at the top of the ladder, its basis is on the earth, where Jacob rests.
The angels descending the ladder symbolize future Jewish generations.
Angels ascending the ladder represent the dying fathers.
Remember that Jacob's ancestor, Abraham, was the first man to dream of multiplying his offspring like sand on the beach?
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- Writer
