What does "va'Yachel Noach" mean? Why does the Torah not just write that Noach planted a vineyard?
Rashi: It means that he made himself mundane 1 (an expression of "Chulin"), 2 since he ought to have busied himself with other (more spiritual) planting. 3
Ramban: Noach began (he was the first person) to plant a vineyard; until then, they only knew how to plant individual vines.
Seforno: He began to plant things that were inappropriate 4 (with the unpleasant results that the Torah now describes). 5
Gur Aryeh: The word would be superfluous if it were to be taken in the literal sense, "he began (Hischil)."
Chochmah u'Musar (Vol. 2, p. 434): Why did he descend so greatly? It was permitted to plant, and Noach was free of Ta'avah! A Tzadik is one whose actions fit with thought and clarification. Without this, one remains a wild man.
As we say in Birkas ha'Torah, "v'Chayei Olam Nata b'Socheinu."
For a person who had just experienced such great miracles, who had merited prophecy and who had seen the destruction that ensues if one indulges in mundane activities.
Since one small sin leads to a larger one, as we also find at the end of Parshas Balak (in the episode with the daughters of Midyan).
What does the Torah mean when it refers to Noach as "Ish ha'Adamah"?
Rashi: It means "master 1 of the earth."
Ramban (citing the Radak) #1: It means "head of the earth." 2
Ramban #2, Targum Onkelus and Targum Yonasan: It means "a man who spent all his time working the ground."
Ramban #3: He saw that the earth was desolate, so "he became a man who attached to it" - to sow and to plant.
Bereishis Rabah (36): Noach descended from being called "Ish Tzadik" to "Ish ha'Adamah." 3 Moshe ascended from being called "Ish Mitzri" to "Ish Ha'E-lokim"!
(The difference between the two translations is unclear). The Ramban goes on to refute the proofs of both Rashi and the Radak.
Mishnas R. Aharon (Vol. 1, p. 169): Even though he saved the world through his righteousness, and a year of feeding animals without sleeping, and he knew that wine is needed for Nesachim; a physical intent was mixed in, which is man's downfall. Therefore, his title changed.
From where did Noach obtain vine branches so soon after the Flood?
Rashi: He took branches of vine and fig 1 trees with him into the Ark.
Targum Yonasan: He found a vine that the river had carried out of Gan Eden (which produced grapes on the same day that he planted it). 2
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "'Ish ha'Adamah' means 'master over the earth,' just like [in the verse], 'Ish Naomi' (Rus 1:3)." Ramban asks - In the latter verse, the word "Ish" is an expression of marriage (Ishus), i.e. "husband," not "master"!
Mizrachi: The expression for the marital bond (Ishus), in the sense used by Chazal, is used regarding the bond of the wife (Ishah), not that of the husband. Also, the possessive word of, "husband of Naomi," implies "belonging to Naomi," and marriage is expressed in the opposite way. We see that "Ish Naomi" does not mean husband.
Gur Aryeh: A man is always termed "Ish," independent of any marital status, therefore "Ish Naomi" cannot be an expression of their marriage. Rather, it implies mastery (Ba'alus), just as it does in our verse.
Rashi writes: "Noach brought grape vines and fig shoots into [the Ark] with him." Why does Rashi add "fig shoots"?
Gur Aryeh: If nothing else was available, the verse would have no complaint against him for beginning with vines rather than another species.
Rashi writes: " grape vines and fig shoots." Why specifically these two species?
Chizkuni: It is difficult to cultivate these trees from seeds; saplings are used instead.
Gur Aryeh #1, Riva : These two species are most easily ruined by flooding (whereas other species would re-sprout on their own). 1
Gur Aryeh #2: The two species mentioned are those most commonly consumed by people; but in fact Noach brought along other species along as well. 2
Gur Aryeh asks - The word "Mabul" means that it destroyed everything (Rashi 6:17), meaning that no trees of any kind remained.
The Midrash mentions olive shoots as well. It derives this from the verse, "... take food... and gather it unto you" (6:21), i.e. gather all that which you will eventually need.
