[Avodah] Torah Geography & Dream Brachos

[Joshua Waxman]

Gilad Field wrote:
> 2 unrelated questions:
>
> 1) The Gemara, in Bava Basra 25b (it is also in the first perek of
> Gittin), wants to prove that Bavel is north of EY by quoting a Pasuk
> in Yermiyahu.  Why should we need a pasuk to teach us geography? This
> seems a bit strange to me.  Anyone have any thoughts on that?

*Perhaps* because we might say that Bavel is actually to the *east* of
Eretz Yisrael. Thus, Eretz Yisrael was called Maarava, residents there
were Bnei Maarava (with Maarava meaning West), and residents of 
Bavel being called Benei Madincha (Madincha meaning east). The 
Yerushalmi in Gittin 4b also says that Bavel is even more east of Eretz
Yisrael than Rekem. In terms of the gemara in Bava Batra 25b, since Bavel
was to the east, it was necessary to explain, within R' Chanina's statement
to Rav Ashi that those in the North of Eretz Yisrael should face south,
that that statement was as regards the residents of Bavel.

Anyway, that was just a thought. I expand a bit on this theme in this post
here, on my blog:

http://parsha.blogspot.com/2005/01/yerushalmi-gittin-1-jewish-geography.html

Aside from this, even if it is accurate geography, there is a trend of trying
to find Biblical prooftexts for known facts. For example that the sun rises
in the east and sets in the west. Why this is a worthwhile endeavor may
have to do with their philosophical perspective of how to derive knowledge,
namely via experience or tradition. At least that is my take on it.

KT,
Josh Waxman