Honey, Its A Date

Parshas Hashavua

כי תבא

ולקחת מראשית כל פרי האדמה

The Chasam Sofer’s Apology

The Chasam Sofer once feared that he had inadvertently offended the Yismach Moshe, R’ Moshe Teitelbaum zt”l, by speaking too sharply about certain Chassidic practices. Wishing to appease him, the Chasam Sofer sent a remarkable letter of apology.

He begins with a question:

חז"ל teach that the דבש listed among the שבעת המינים refers specifically to date honey. But how did they know this?

After all, on the פסוק of “כל שאור וכל דבש לא תקטירו”, Rashi explains that nectar from any fruit is called דבש.

כל מתיקת פרי קרוי דבש

If so, why assume that the שבעת המינים “honey” is from dates rather than from figs, grapes, or any other fruit?

The Chasam Sofer answers with a subtle play on words and a gentle compliment:

At ביכורים the Torah says “מראשית” — which חז"ל also interpret as “the finest,” “the best.”

חז"ל therefore knew that the sweetest, most superior honey comes from a Teitelbaum — that is, from dates.

✦ ✦ ✦

Apology Not Accepted

Five months later, on י״ג שבט, the Chasam Sofer expressed clear frustration that the Yismach Moshe still had not replied to his earlier letter of reconciliation.

The Chasam Sofer felt uneasy responding to a שאלה from the city of Uhel, where the Yismach Moshe served as Rav. He feared answering the שאלה.

In explaining his hesitation, the Chasam Sofer notes that the Yismach Moshe possessed a strong, forceful personality, a man of firm convictions. He adds that the Yismach Moshe was known to be:

קפיד טובא על דבר פחות מזה

— capable of taking offense even over matters far smaller than this —

and then concludes with the striking expression:

“ומה לי לצרה הזאת”

פרשת כי תבא