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There is a rabbinic tradition that when children start learning their Hebrew alphabet and begin reading the Torah (first five books of the Bible) the rabbi’s place honey on a tablet with Hebrew letters and then have the children lick the honey off the tablet.
Throughout their ongoing learning process--even today in some schools--the rabbi's will on occasion drop honey onto their students lips or provide some cake with honey that includes a reading from the prophet Ezekiel...
“And he (the LORD) said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.' So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. Then he said to me, ‘Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.’ I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.'" (Ezekiel 3:1-3)
In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John echoes Ezekiel in his message to the churches in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey)...
“I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, ‘Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth, it will be as sweet as honey.’ I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth."
(Revelation 10:9-10)
Our logo serves as a powerful reminder that the process of biblical study, specifically in its historical, cultural, and geographical contexts is a sweet and satisfying endeavor that ultimately leads to deeper intimacy with Jesus and knowing God better.
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” (Psalm 119:103)
Amen.
Rabbinic Source: The clearest early description comes from Rabbi Eleazar of Worms (c. 1176–1238) in Sefer ha-Rokeach, Hilkhot Shavuot 296. He describes bringing a young child to his teacher on Shavuot to begin Torah study. The teacher presents a tablet containing the alphabet and biblical verses, reads the letters with the child, and then: "The rabbi puts a little honey on the tablet, and the child licks the honey from the letters with his tongue.”
Ivan G. Marcus sites “Sefer ha-Rokeach” in his book “Rituals of Childhood” (New Haven, Yale: 1996, pp. 27-28). The Hebrew phrase "Sefer ha-Rokeach" translates to "The Book of the Perfumer" in English and is a reference to the work by the renowned Jewish Rabbi, Eleazar ben Judah of Worms (1176-1238). Perfumer was his nickname.