Dreams and Angels

This week’s parsha, Torah portion, Vayeitzei, Genesis 28:10−32:3, tells us of one of the most famous dreams ever recorded —- that of Jacob and the ladder. In very short summary, the parsha starts out with the story of Jacob dreaming of angels going up and down a ladder. God blesses him and Jacob names the place Bethel (house of God). (28:10-22). I remember learning about this parsha in Sunday school at the synagogue I grew up in, Temple Kol Emeth, in Marietta, GA. I remember picturing the ladder (in my little kid mind it was very shiny and gold). As it was retold to me again and again in various Sunday school classrooms or staff meetings and learnings, I found myself wondering about this dream. We hear Torah stories told again and again about prophecies and visions but dreams in which God talks directly to our forefathers and mothers? That’s rare.

“He lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed”

Is there a difference between a dream (while one is asleep) as Jacob had, and a vision (while one is awake) as did Isaac and Ezekiel? We are told over and over again the stories of visions and prophecies or of angels speaking on behalf of God but Jacob slept and God spoke to him and something about that direct communication led the Jewish people not to be known as the Children of Abraham or Isaac but the Children of Israel. I’m sure becoming Jacob’s namesake had more to with who Jacob was as a person (perhaps Jacob’s perseverance and gentle leadership), than his direct ‘conversation’ with God, but it certainly played a role. What I find fascinating as an adult when I read this passage is the difference between a dream when asleep and a vision. When does a dream become a vision? When does a vision become a dream? Or, better yet, to be a bit more relevant to where I sit in my role as an Executive Director of a Hillel, when does a dream or a vision become a goal?

I have so many dreams for this organization. I dream that we will one day have a beautiful new building complete with a state -of-the-art kitchen and dining area as well as a beautiful outdoor hang space and indoor study space for our students. I dream that we are able to engage all Jewish students at Miami, regardless of how the identify as a Jew. I dream that we can one day be able to afford a full time Senior Jewish Educator who can be a spiritual and religious guide for our students. The list goes on and on. Some dreams are big (like the beautiful new building) and some dreams are small (having a full sushi shabbat) but they are dreams that have become goals that guide my broader work at this Hillel and on behalf of our Jewish students.

One goal that became a reality was the raising of $18,000 during Giving Tuesday and not only did we raise that money but we raised $23,000 in total! I can’t tell you the help this is in terms of allowing us to meet our engagement and programmatic goals. We are committed to providing all experiences at Hillel free to our students and we could not do it without you —- our champions!

Thank you so much for all your continued support. May your Shabbat dreams be sweet.

Shabbat Shalom,

Whitney Fisch, MSW
Executive Director