Dreams

This week’s Parsha, Mikketz, discusses Pharaoh’s dreams and Joseph’s subsequent interpretation of them.

I heard the following story from Rav Ehrentrau concerning dreams:

A certain individual was collecting money to build schools and other institutions in a his town in Israel, shortly after 1948. He came to England and went around fundraising. People were very reluctant to give - they felt his projects were mere pipedreams, which would never get off the ground.

Notwithstanding this, funds were raised and several years later, many magnificent institutions had been founded. The same collector found himself once again in England, fundraising for his institutions. People were amazed that the vision had actually become a reality - to them, the vision had sounded so impractical and unrealistic. They asked him, "Tell us... how did you manage to make these dreams actually happen?"

His answer was that "when most people dream, they dream with their eyes closed. I dream with my eyes open."

We all have dreams, good ideas, visions which, given the right amount of nurture, could develop into reality. The above story reminds us that we have to dream 'with our eyes open' - aware of the reality of what is going on around us and always looking to actualize are ideas and bring them into the 'here and now', not remain with them as mere pipedreams. With a little effort and perseverance, we all have the potential to bring our good ideas into actuality and to change the world around us.

Wishing everyone (once again) a Happy Chanukah - may the Chanukah lights illuminate your homes and lives and bring good and peace into the world.