ARI STERN asks:
Kvod HaRav,
Interesting that the Gemara considers devash temarim zeah balma, when the Torah in listing the Shivas Haminim, does not list dates, Temarim rather Devash, would seem that the Torah considers it important, by describing it as devash and not temarim?
Yasher Koach.
Ari
The Kollel replies:
Sholom Rav.
The Torah refers to dates as honey, because the honey reflects on the high-quality of the dates. See Rashi in Ha'azinu, 32:13 (there it is on connection with figs, here, with dates).
When the Gemara states that the honey is 'only' juice, it does not mean to belittle the honey, but to point out that, technically, it is not a 'Pri' (as Rashi explains) and that the B'rachah "Borei P'ri ha'Eitz'is not applicable to it.
be'Virchas Kol Tuv.
Eliezer Chrysler.