For the source text click/tap here: Bava Batra 80
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§ The mishna teaches that one who buys honeycombs must leave two combs and one who buys olive trees for felling must leave two shoots. Rav Kahana says: As long as honeyremains in the beehive it never leaves its status as food, i.e., it is always considered fit for human consumption.
Rabbi Elazar said: What is the reasoning of Rabbi Eliezer? As it is written with regard to Jonathan:
“He put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb [ya’arat hadevash]” (I Samuel 14:27). Now, what does a forest [ya’ar] have to do with honey [devash]? Why is the honeycomb called a forest of honey [ya’arat hadevash]?
Rather, this serves to tell you: Just as with regard to a forest, one who picks fruit from a tree on Shabbat is liable to bring a sin-offering, so too, with regard to honey, one who removes honey from a beehive on Shabbat is liable to bring a sin-offering.
We explore the saga of Jonathan and King Saul as well as the significance of honey and honeycombs.