Faith
Understanding Dreams About Yom Kippur and Their Meaning
Receiving Guidance on Dreams Involving Yom Kippur
Question
To Rabbi Shlof Lipni, about two weeks ago I dreamed a dream about Yom Kippur. In the dream, it was like the middle of the night and I made myself a pizza and ate it, and after I ate it I remembered that it was Yom Kippur and I was supposed to be fasting, and I felt upset as if I ate because I forgot. In the dream, it was as if I woke up and ate although it was Yom Kippur, and after eating I remembered. Then after I ate, I saw my younger brother sitting and just about to put food in his mouth, so I immediately shouted at him not to eat because it is forbidden on Yom Kippur. In the dream, he also forgot and I reminded him and stopped him, and he did not eat. About two days before, I dreamed again about Yom Kippur, and in the dream, I also forgot it was Yom Kippur and I put a bite of hummus-flavored Bissli (snack) in my mouth. As soon as it was in my mouth, I remembered it was Yom Kippur and I immediately spat everything out and really continued to spit and remove everything so that I would not even have a taste of the food. I did not swallow anything because as soon as it entered my mouth, I remembered and spat everything out completely. I recall that in both dreams I felt a sense of frustration as if I forgot and destroyed my fast, even though in the second dream I did not swallow anything and spat it all out. Still, I had a feeling of frustration as if why was it even in my mouth and how did I forget, as if this is not a proper fast according to halacha. Because in real life I am very meticulous about mitzvot; I am not Haredi but when I do something I am very precise and careful. I would appreciate an answer about this dream. I thank you for all the spiritual support and your wonderful channel! Regards, Natali.
Answer
Greetings and blessings. The very fact of dreaming about Yom Kippur, according to several sources, is a sign of closeness to Hashem. Although according to the Shulchan Aruch, it is very appropriate to perform a "bitat chalom" (changing the dream) from a bad dream about Yom Kippur into a good one, which may be done by reciting the special prayer for changing dreams during the blessing of the Kohanim in synagogue. The part of the dream in which you failed by eating comes from your sincere desire to do everything properly, and there is a hidden fear deep within the soul of failing; this very hidden fear can bring about such a dream. This element of the dream has no special significance beyond this. The description of "non-Haredi" is not fitting here, because anyone who fulfills the mitzvot of the Torah and is careful to perform them properly is considered to be a Haredi regarding Hashem, to the highest standards. It is not external dress or political identification that determines the level of Haredi observance.
Wishing you success, Menashe Yisrael.
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