For the source text click/tap here: Chullin 92
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The rabbis interpret Bereishit (40:10), "And in the vine were three bunches and as it was budding its blossoms shot forth and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes".
Rabbi Eliezer says that the vine is the world, the branches are our patriarchs, the blossoms the matriarchs and the ripe grapes were the twelve tribes. Rabbi Yehoshua says that dreams tell the future, and thus the vines the Torah, the branches are Moses Aaorn and Miriam, and the budding blossoms are the Sanhedrin.
The ripe grapes were the righteous of all generations. Rabbi Elazar HaModa'i says that the vine is Jerusalem, the branches are the Temple the King and the High Priest, blossoms are young priests, and the grapes are the libations.
We explore midrasnhic and literary themes of Israel’s comparison to a vine.
