Berachos 57b

ברכות נ״ז ע״ב

Berakhot 57b

Learn Berachos 57b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Berachos 57b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Dream signs, lists of three, and blessings on seeing places in בבל

Overview

The amud opens with רבי יוחנן: a verse that comes to mind on waking is a small נבואה. The חכמים then list what it means to see certain kings, books of תנ"ך, and sages in a dream. Next come rules of the form “all are good in a dream except…” for animals, metals, fruit, vegetables, colors, and birds. Short challenges about the elephant and turnip heads are answered with small details. Memory aids then introduce groups of lists: things that do or do not benefit the body, tastes of עולם הבא (where תשמיש is explained as relieving oneself), things that one-sixtieth resemble something greater, and signs and foods that help or harm the sick. A ברייתא interprets dreams of a dead person in the house. The גמרא then turns to blessings: for מרקוליס, for a place cleared of עבודה זרה, and the five blessings of רב המנונא on seeing the ruins of בבל. It closes with stories of רבא and מר בריה דרבינא, and רב אשי's report that he said all five blessings on his own reasoning.

Opening lines

The steps (54)

1. StatementA verse that comes to mind upon waking
2. StatementDream signs involving three kings
3. StatementDream signs involving prophetic books and figures
4. StatementDream signs involving three large books of כְּתוּבִים
5. StatementDream signs involving three small books of כְּתוּבִים
6. StatementA distinct dream sign for מְגִלַּת אֶסְתֵּר
7. StatementThree sages as dream signs
8. StatementThree Torah scholars as dream signs
9. StatementAnimals are generally favorable dream signs
10. ChallengeAn elephant can also signal a miracle
11. ResolutionThe elephant’s equipment changes the sign
12. StatementMetal objects and the importance of handles
13. StatementFruit is favorable except for unripe dates
14. StatementVegetables are favorable except for turnip heads
15. Challengeרב saw turnip heads before becoming wealthy
16. Resolutionרב saw the turnip heads on their stems
17. StatementColors are favorable except for sky-blue
18. StatementBirds are favorable with three exceptions
19. StatementA memory aid introduces five lists
20. StatementThree foods enter the body without benefiting it
21. StatementThree things benefit the body without entering it
22. StatementThree experiences offer a taste of עולם הבא
23. QuestionWhich kind of usage does the list mean?
24. ChallengeConjugal relations do not seem to fit
25. ResolutionThe intended usage is relieving oneself
26. StatementThree things restore a person’s state of mind
27. StatementThree things broaden a person’s state of mind
28. StatementA memory aid for the next lists
29. StatementFive things that are one-sixtieth of something greater
30. StatementSix good signs for a sick person
31. ProofA verse for each good sign
32. StatementSix foods that heal a sick person
33. StatementSome add small fish, which strengthen the whole body
34. StatementTen things that bring an illness back
35. StatementSome add nuts and cucumbers to the relapse list
36. StatementWhy cucumbers have their name
37. ChallengeWhy did the wealthy keep serving cucumbers?
38. ResolutionCucumber size resolves the conflict
39. StatementDream signs involving a dead person at home
40. StatementThe bad sign concerns footwear
41. StatementWhat a dead person takes in a dream
42. StatementWhat a dead person gives in a dream
43. StatementA blessing on seeing מרקוליס
44. StatementA blessing where עבודה זרה was removed
45. StatementA shorter wording outside the land
46. StatementThe request is said outside the land too
47. StatementThe five blessings begin with seeing בבל
48. StatementSeeing the house of נבוכדנצר
49. StatementSeeing a place where a miracle occurred
50. StatementSeeing מרקוליס
51. StatementSeeing earth removed from בבל
52. Statementרבא urges on the donkeys
53. Statementמר בריה דרבינא removes earth himself
54. Conclusionרב אשי reached the blessings independently