Rabbi Tanḥuma said: Its mother is unable to bear it,13The grapevine, referred to here as the mother of the wine, is unable to stand up on its own and support its fruit. and you are able to bear it? The grapevine rests on several reeds and several spikes, and they are unable to bear it, and you are able to bear it? Rabbi Pinḥas said: The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘For offerings I set limits, but for you I do not set limits?
For offerings, as it is stated: “And their libations, one-half hin for the bull” (Numbers 28:14), but for you I do not set limits?’ Avin said: Trees are called by the names of their [fruit]. Apple is called an apple tree, pomegranate is called a pomegranate tree, date is called a date tree, but a vine is called three names. It is called a vine.
From the vine, grapes emerge; from the grapes, wine.14The vine [gefen] is not called by a name having to do with its fruit, grapes [anavim], or the wine derived from the grapes [ḥamar]. This is to tell you that just as these grapes, the more you squeeze them the more you take out from them everything that is in them, so, too, anyone who drinks much wine, ultimately he will vomit everything that is in his intestines.