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Story Magic Part Two


Joseph would not have made it past one dream in my family! 

 

We, too, were a family of dreamers and visionaries. They were also master story tellers.

 

My mother a”h, who could turn a story of starting a fire in Naomi’s kitchen on Erev Pesach into fifteen minutes of hysterical laughter,  knew at a young age she would found a gazillion organizations when she overheard her father zt”l, despite his Yeshiva being in a desperate financial situation, describe his dreams to a student,  how the Yeshiva would eventually be one of the largest in the country.

 

My father zt”l, who could share a story, “It is worth being born just to hear this story,” was a visionary with almost prophetic clarity.

 

My siblings all, are visionaries and dreamers, story tellers and creators.

 

When I posted “Story Magic,” Naomi asked for the next step, to which I responded, “To be a real dreamer you must also be a storyteller like Ma and like you.”

 

Despite all this, I still think, Joseph would not have made it past one dream in my family! 

******

So, let’s dream of Simcha waking up one morning and saying, “There we were binding sheaves in the field, when suddenly my sheaf stood up and remained upright; then your sheaves gathered around and bowed low to my sheaf (Bereishit 37-7 – sefaria.org).”

 

Oh my! I can’t even imagine the reaction!

 

“You can’t even get to be the first in anything and you think we will bow to you!”

 

“Pa, take him to a mental hospital!”

 

“Listen, your majesty, clean the table, brush your teeth and get to school!”

“I’m happy you are dreaming of great things, but you will have to work hard to make it happen.”

 

“Dreams are of possibilities. Fantasies are of things that will never happen!”

 

“Vunderbar! Let’s learn so it’ll happen!”

 

“Great! Another (Uncle Noach) in the making!”

 

(Naomi suggested I add: “We never should have adopted you!” “We never should have rescued him from the garbage!” “We should have refused the stork entry!”

(Responses of Zaidy Ruderman, Bubby, Pa, Ma, [Ruchama] Aviva, Naomi, Rav Chaim Goldberger when the family decided to adopt a more normal son. Feel free to match responses to characters.)

******

I am actually becoming frustrated with my theoretical scenario, so, I need to discuss it with my father, also a Jacob,  as we walk to Yeshiva on Shabbas – he holds my hand inside the pocket of his coat to keep me warm.

 

“Pa, you had the dream of the ladder with the angels and it was a big deal. No one laughed when you shared your dream!”

 

“Why do you think I told anyone about me dream? The only dream I shared was that of the sheep, the one I shared with Rachel & Leah when discussing leaving Laban: 

 

“Once, at the mating time of the flocks, I had a dream in which I saw that the he-goats mating with the flock were streaked, speckled, and mottled.

 

And in the dream an angel of God said to me, ‘Jacob!’ ‘Here,’ I answered.

 

And he said, ‘Note well that all the he-goats which are mating with the flock are streaked, speckled, and mottled; for I have noted all that Laban has been doing to you.

 

I am the God of Beth-el, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now, arise and leave this land and return to your native land.’ (31:10-13)”

 

My father continued (back to imaginary conversation): “that reference to my dream, ‘where you anointed a pillar,’ was the first and only mention of my famous ladder dream!”

******

I was shocked. Everyone knows about my father’s famous “Ladder With Angels” dream. 

 

(Even Led Zeppelin – where else do you think they got the idea for “Stairway to Heaven”!)

 

(In fact, I am currently pleading with the Perry White of the BNN to have as my Chanukah/Birthday present, the assignment to interview the characters in Jacob’s dream. “As usual, you’re dreaming and asking too much!”)

 

“Pa, how does everyone know about your dream?”

As usual, “Figure it out. Think.”

I still have a moment of frustration when I hear that response.

I love the adventure that comes with that answer.

 

Do you believe me now that Joseph would not have made it past one dream in my family!

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