Noah Plants the Vineyard and the Exile of the Ten Tribes

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Noach 20:7

"And he planted a vineyard" (Genesis 9:20). From where did he have it? Rather, from the grape-pits that he had brought in with him into the ark he took and sowed, as it is said, "And he planted a vineyard," etc. And after it, what is written? "And he drank of the wine" (Genesis 9:21). Rabbi Hiyya bar Abba said: On the very day that he planted it, on that very day it blossomed; on that very day it produced fruit; on that very day he plucked it, harvested it, trod it, and drank, as it is said, "And he drank of the wine and became drunk, and he uncovered himself within his tent" (Genesis 9:21). It is written oholah ("her tent"). Rabbi Judah son of Rabbi Simon said in the name of Rabbi Hanina in the name of Rabbi Samuel bar Isaac: It decreed exile for the ten tribes, as it is said, "Samaria is Oholah" (Ezekiel 23:4).

Themes

Biblical References