Faith
Dream About a Hedgehog
Question
I dreamed about a hedgehog that sent me one of its quills, and it got stuck in my thigh. I immediately woke up. What does this dream mean? Thank you!
Answer
Greetings, Most likely, the dream has no specific meaning, as is the case with most dreams in our times. Nevertheless, since seeing a hedgehog in a dream may not be a good sign (see Berachot 57b), it is advisable to say the 'Hatavat Chalom' (the formula appears in siddurim) before three people, preferably those who wish you well. Alternatively, you may attend Shacharit prayer and recite the following during Birkat Kohanim (the Priestly Blessing) – and try to complete the recitation as the Kohanim finish saying 'Shalom', so the congregation's Amen also applies to your prayer:
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אֲנִי שֶׁלָּךְ וַחֲלוֹמוֹתַי שֶׁלָּךְ, חֲלוֹם חָלַמְתִּי וְאֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ מַה הוּא. יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ יְהׂוָה אֱלֹהַי וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתַי, שֶׁיִּהְיוּ כָּל חֲלוֹמוֹתַי עָלַי וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל לְטוֹבָה, בֵּין שֶׁחָלַמְתִּי עַל עַצְמִי וּבֵין שֶׁחָלַמְתִּי עַל אֲחֵרִים, וּבֵין שֶׁחָלְמוּ אֲחֵרִים עָלַי, אִם טוֹבִים הֵם חַזְּקֵם וְאַמְּצֵם, וְיִתְקַיְּמוּ בִי וּבָהֶם כַּחֲלוֹמוֹתָיו שֶׁל יוֹסֵף הַצַּדִּיק, וְאִם צְרִיכִים רְפוּאָה רְפָאֵם כְּחִזְקִיָּהוּ מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָה מֵחָלְיוֹ, וּכְמִרְיָם הַנְּבִיאָה מִצָּרַעְתָּהּ, וּכְנַעֲמָן מִצָּרַעְתּוֹ, וּכְמֵי מָרָה עַל יְדֵי משֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ, וּכְמֵי יְרִחוֹ עַל יְדֵי אֱלִישָׁע. וּכְשֵׁם שֶׁהָפַכְתָּ אֶת קִלְלַת בִּלְעָם הָרָשָׁע מִקְּלָלָה לִבְרָכָה כֵּן תַּהֲפוֹךְ כָּל חֲלוֹמוֹתַי עָלַי וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל לְטוֹבָה וְתִשְׁמְרֵנִי וּתְחָנֵּנִי וְתִרְצֵּנִי. אמן.
Sources: The advice to say Hatavat Chalom is found in Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 227:1. The recommendation to recite "Master of the Universe..." during Birkat Kohanim is in Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 130, for when one dreams a dream and does not know its meaning; this formula is also beneficial for troubling dreams (see Igrot Chazon Ish, vol. 2, epistle 145, and Aruchot Rabbeinu 3:219, s.v.).
Wishing you good tidings, Hillel Meirs.
עברית
