As we have already shown, however, wine not only entered into all religious ceremonies (indeed it formed part of the tithes of the priests), but, taken in moderation, it was regarded as one of the chief blessings which Jehovah had conferred upon the Israelites, and in that sense it is continually found coupled with corn, oil, or milk.[115] Sometimes it is even compared with the Word of God itself. “Ho, every one of ye that thirsteth, come ye to the water; and he, too, that hath no money: come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy without money and without price, wine and milk.”[116] “Wherefore has the Word of God been likened to wine and milk?” asked the old Rabbins, and the answer was, “As these fluids cannot be preserved in golden vessels but only in earthenware, so those minds will be the best receptacles of learning which are found in homely bodies.”[117] Intoxicating drinks were prepared in Judea from various natural products; from grapes, pomegranates, the palm tree, apples, dates, and other fruits. Before pressing the grape, a quantity of the “must” or sweet juice was allowed to flow spontaneously, as we shall find to have been the practice also in ancient Rome, and that was either drunk in its fresh condition, or was preserved for the finer kinds of wine. The juice was allowed to ferment in bottles, and either the wine so produced, or some other intoxicating beverage, was largely used by the Hebrews. It was brought out on occasions of hospitality,[118] at festivals, and was given to criminals before they were led to execution, for “wine banishes fear,” said the Rabbins.[119] As we have already stated, it must have been strong, for it was largely diluted with water; and, as might naturally be expected, it was often drunk to excess, even at the earliest period, and by some of the leaders of the people. Noah, who is believed by some commentators to have been the first to plant vines, was found intoxicated in his tent;[120] and Lot’s daughters made their father drunk, and caused him to commit an unnatural crime.[121]