A World of Dreamers

“You’ll know tonight,” he said.

That evening, the man came home with a box and gave it to his Joey.

Delighted, he opened it - to find a book entitled “The Meaning of Dreams.”

***

Here is a secret from the professional world, be it in athletics, academia or show business: the secret of those who manage to perform the unfathomable is using the power of imagination. Right before the race, the racer will concentrate in his mind, picturing the entire race, from warm up to finish line: the twists and turns, the heart pump and adrenalin. Everything.

My grandfather sat in a Russian prison for many years. He had no wife awaiting his return; all his friends were shot or in exile. Once outside, he would continue to defy the government, spreading the light of Torah and Judaism under the nose of the brutal regime, landing in prison all over again.

What kept him going through the drills and barricades, detention and stern faces, the beatings and interrogations? It was the shining image of a day when he would leave the darkness. It was the picture of time when he would live a life of meaning without fear, able to see his Rebbe and teacher, able to build a family.

In Russia of the thirties, this was an unrealistic dream. The borders were tight and the iron fist of Mother Russia reached into every nick and cranny. But he had a dream.

This Shabbos, we will use our imagination. On the Shabbos before the fast of Tisha B’Av, which commemorates the destruction of the two Holy Temples, our sages taught that G-d shows each and every Jew a vision of the Third Temple. You might not see it physically, but your soul will sense it with profound clarity.

Despite the exile, and the terror and fright notwithstanding, there lies within us a vision of a better world. It is a world of eternal peace and bliss, the era of Moshiach. It keeps us going and inspires us to forge ahead with our divine mission of lighting up the universe.

Dreams can become reality. My grandfather got married at age 36 and built a family of fifteen children and over 160 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, may G-d bless them. All of them, with the help of G-d, live their lives guided by the Torah. As wild as his most imaginative dream may have been, I am sure it was more believable than the reality he merited experiencing!

Moshiach will be a reality. Just learn what it is about, and get excited. And then start dreaming.

Do something about it:

Dream on! Many happy days are coming.