סימן קל - רבונו של עולם שאומרים בשעת נשיאת כפים ובו ב' סעיפים

Recording: Seifim 1–2

1. One who saw a dream and does not know what he saw^[1], and fears he may have dreamed a dream that needs healing, should stand before the kohanim when they raise their hands and say: "Master of the world, I am Yours," etc.^[2], "if they need healing, heal them," etc.,

and he should intend to finish when the kohanim finish the first, second or third verse^[3], so that the congregation answers amen on his request too.

If the kohanim have not yet finished, he should add and say "Mighty One on high," etc.^[4], until the kohanim finish.

In a place where they do not go up to the duchan, he should say all this when the shaliach tzibbur says "Sim Shalom," and intend to finish with the shaliach tzibbur, so that the congregation answers amen.

If he sees that he will not be able to finish with the shaliach tzibbur, he should begin when the shaliach tzibbur says "Yevarechecha."

He should not say this every day, only on a day he saw a dream.

That all are accustomed to say it on a festival when the kohanim go up to the duchan is because it is impossible that he did not see a dream needing healing from one festival to the next:

2. It is good to say first "whether dreams I dreamed about others," and afterward "whether dreams I dreamed about myself and that others dreamed about me,"

for they said: one who prays for his fellow is answered first^[5]; therefore he should put his prayer for others before his prayer for himself.

The custom is to conclude "ותשמרני ותחנני ותרצני" ("and guard me, and be gracious to me, and accept me")^[6]: "guard me" corresponds to "Veyishmerecha," "be gracious to me" to "Vichuneka," and "accept me" is favor and peace:

1. One who saw a dream: "One who saw a dream and does not know what he saw should stand before the kohanim when they spread their hands"; the full wording of the request is there (Berachos 55b).

2. Master of the world: The Rebbe writes that the Priestly Blessing is connected with interpreting dreams for good, "which is why the Ribono Shel Olam is said at the Priestly Blessing" (Igros Kodesh vol. 3, letter 571).

3. To finish when the kohanim finish: Hayom Yom gives the order: "The Ribono Shel Olam is said specifically while the kohanim sing, but when they say the words one must listen." When they sing "Veyasem," one says from Ribono Shel Olam to "HaTzaddik"; at "Lecha," from "Ve'im" to "Elisha"; at "Shalom," from "Uchshem" to "Letovah" (Hayom Yom, 7 Sivan). See siman 128, note 68.

4. Mighty One on high: "And if not, he should say: Mighty One on high, Who dwells in might, You are peace and Your name is Peace; may it be Your will to set peace upon us" (Berachos 55b). Hayom Yom: "Adir Bamarom is said after answering amen, while the tallis is still over his face" (Hayom Yom, 7 Sivan).

5. Is answered first: "Whoever asks for mercy for his fellow while he himself needs the same thing is answered first" (Bava Kamma 92a).

6. The conclusion: Hayom Yom: "When they say 'Shalom,' one says ותשמרני ותחנני ותרצני" (Hayom Yom, 7 Sivan).