Midrash su Genesi 49:11

Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine (Gen. 49:11). Vine refers to Israel, as is said: Thou didst pluck up a vine out of Egypt (Ps. 80:9). Binding his foal (‘iroh) alludes to the Holy City (‘ir ha-kodesh). Unto the choice vine refers to Israel, as is said: Yes, I have planted thee a choice vine (Jer. 2:11). And his ass’s colt implies that they will build a gate for the temple.²²A play on words: benei atono (asses colt) with yivnu (will build) and atun (the fireplace of the Temple).

He washes his garments in wine (Gen. 49:11) because of the abundance of wine.

R. Chiya b. Joseph also said: "The land of Israel is destined to yield ready made cakes and ready made cloaks, as it is said (Ps. 72, 16) And there shall be an abundance of corn in the land." Our Rabbis were taught: And there shall be an abundance of corn in the land, upon the top of the mountains. It was said that in the future the wheat would sprout forth and rise like palms on mountain tops, and if one will think that it will be a hardship to harvest it, it is therefore said in the same passage, its fruit shall shake like the trees of Lebanon; i.e., the Holy One, praised be He! will cause a wind to be brought from His treasures which will blow upon it and make its flower fall off. Then man will go out into the field and bring handfuls of corn from which he will support himself and family. (Deut. 32, 14) With the fat of the kidneys of wheat. It was said that in the future wheat will be as large as two kidneys of a big ox. And one should not be surprised at it, for it happened that a fox who made a den in a turnip, which, when weighed, was found to be sixty pounds, in the Ziporian pound. We are taught in a Baraitha that R. Jossi says: "It once happened in Sichin with one whose father left him three mustard plants. When one plant was opened it yielded nine cabin of mustard, and from the wood they built a potter's hut." R. Simon b. Tachlipha said: "Our father left us one cabbage stalk which we had to ascend and descend through the help of a ladder." (Deut. 23, 14) And all the blood of the grape thou drinkest unmixed wine. It was said that this world is not like the world to come. In this world, there is a struggle to collect the grapes and to press them, while in the future world one grape will be brought in a wagon, or in a ship, placed in the corner of a house, from which the entire support of the house will be secured; and of its wood fire will be made to cook. There will not be a grape that would yield less than thirty garbis of wine, as it is said in the above passage, and all the blood of the grape thou drinkest unmixed wine. Do not read Chamar (wine), but read it Chomor (a measure). When R. Dimi came from the land of Israel, he said: "What does the following passage (Gen. 49, 11) He bindeth unto the wine his foal, mean? There would not be any wine in the land of Israel which will not require an entire colony to pick its grape." (Ib., ib.,, ib.) And to the vine branch an ass's colt; i.e., there would not be any unfruitful tree in the land of Israel which will not furnish a sufficient load for two asses. Perhaps one will say that it will not yield enough wine. The passage therefore reads (Ib., ib., ib.) He washeth his garments in wine. Perhaps one will say that the wine will not be red. It is therefore mentioned in the same passage, and in the blood of grapes, etc.; and if one will say it will not be satiated, it is therefore said Sutho (satisfactory). Perhaps one will say that it will not have a good taste, therefore the passage says, His eyes will be red from wine; i.e., every mouth that will taste will say, "Give me, give me;'' and if one will say it is only tasteful for the young people and not for the elderly, it is therefore said in the above passage, And his teeth white from milk. Do not read L'ben Shinayim (white the teeth), but read it L'ben Shanim (aged in years). What is the literal meaning of the above passage? When R. Dimi came he said: "The congregation of Israel pleaded before the Holy One, praised be He! saying, 'Sovereign of the Universe, beckon me with Thine eyes which are sweeter than wine, and show me Thy teeth which are sweeter than milk.' " This will support the opinion of R. Jochanan; for R. Jochanan said: "It is better that one who show white teeth to his friend (shows a smiling face) more so than one who gives him a drink of milk, as it is said in the above passage, And his teeth white from milk. Do not read L'ben Shinayim (whiten the teeth), but read Laban Shinayim (the white color of the teeth), [referring to a smiling face."