HONEY WE HAVE A DATE

 

Parshas Hashavua  כי תבא Chasam Sofer's apology   The Chasam Sofer. felt that he might have offended the Yismach Moishe (R. Moishe Teitelbaum ZT"L) by being overly critical of Chasidim. The Ch. S. sent an apology letter trying to appease him.  The Ch. S. starts by asking the following question. How do Chazal know that דבש of the שבעת המינים are dates? On the פסוק of כל שאור וכל דבש לא תקטירו Rashi  explains that nectar from all fruits is called דבש so how did Chazal know that it is not any other  fruit but dates? The Ch. S. answered, that by ביכורים it says מראשית ( is also translated the best)   Chazal knew the sweetest and best honey comes from a Teitelbaum  (dates).  (Tshuvas Chasam Sofer Orach Chaim #197)