Dreaming of a Lion Chasing After Me

The Talmud (Berakhot 56b) explains that seeing an elephant in a dream is a good sign, as it states: "One who sees an elephant in a dream - wonders have been done for him, and with regard to elephants - miraculous wonders have been done for him." Therefore, the dream can be understood simply that in your escape from the lion, wonders were done for you, as you were saved!

However, there is also an inner meaning to the dream, which provides practical instruction as well. In the Talmud (there) it is explained that seeing a lion in a dream is a good sign, based on the verse (Amos 3), "The lion has roared; who will not fear?" This indicates a call to repentance before the Creator, as hinted by the acronym of Arieh in Hebrew, which stands for Elul, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Hoshana Rabbah, these being four main times for repentance during the year. The implication in this context is a clear call for rectifying actions through the Torah and observance of the mitzvot.

On the other hand, seeing the form of a lion can also indicate a bad sign, based on the verse written in reproof (Jeremiah 4), "A lion has risen from his thicket." Therefore, upon waking from such a dream, it is stated in the Talmud that one should say the first verse with one's mouth, and the commentators explain that the intention is not merely to say it, but to fulfill the meaning of the verse. Thus, indeed, there is a clear teaching in the dream, and it should be interpreted positively as mentioned, and the matter is in your hands: to flee from the power of the lion to the Creator, and to strengthen oneself in the Torah and in Mitzvot.

Good luck - M"Y