The aggadic discussion that took place on yesterday’s daf leads to continued conversations about Biblical passages that are interpreted in a midrashic fashion.
Many possible interpretations are offered for the verse found in the story of Yosef in prison, where the chief butler relates his dream of “And in the vine were three branches, and as it was budding its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes” (Bereishit 40:10).
Rabbi Eliezer says: The ‘vine’ is the world, the ‘three branches’ are the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; ‘and as it was budding its blossoms shot forth,’ these are the matriarchs; ‘and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes,’ these are the 12 tribes.
Rabbi Yehoshua objects that dreams do not tell the past; they tell the future. He says: The ‘vine’ is the Torah, the ‘three branches’ are Moses, Aaron and Miriam; ‘and as it was budding its blossoms shot forth’, these are the members of the Sanhedrin; ‘and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes,’ are the righteous people of every generation.
Rabbi Elazar HaModa’i says: The ‘vine’ is Jerusalem, the ‘three branches’ are the Temple, the King and the High Priest; ‘and as it was budding its blossoms shot forth,’ these are the young priests; ‘and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes,’ these are the libations.
Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi interprets it in regard to the gifts bestowed by God upon Israel. He says: The ‘vine’ is the Torah, the ‘three branches’ are the well, the pillar of cloud, and the manna; ‘and as it was budding its blossoms shot forth,’ these are the first fruits; ‘and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes,’ these are the libations.
Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: This nation is likened to a vine: its branches are the homeowners who provide financial support, its clusters the Torah scholars, its leaves the ignoramuses, its tendrils those in Israel that are void of learning. This is what was meant when word was sent from there (the Land of Israel) – ‘Let the clusters pray for the leaves, for were it not for the leaves the clusters would not survive.’
The imagery used by these Sages is that of an ordinary grapevine, which includes four parts:
- Zemorot – branches
- Eshkolot – clusters
- Alim – leaves
- Kenokanot – tendrils