Ketoret

 

Parshat Ki Tisa describes the ketoret, the incense offering. The Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:45) sees the role of ketoret as logical/ practical: “Since many animals were slaughtered in the sacred place each day, their flesh butchered and burned and their intestines cleaned, its smell would doubtless have been like the smell of a slaughterhouse. Therefore G d commanded that the ketoret be burned twice a day, each morning and afternoon, to lend a pleasing fragrance to [the Holy Temple] and to the garments of those who served in it.”

    One of the key ingredients in ketoret is khelbona, known for its terrible odor. This element is similar to that used in the production of all perfume: The basic method involves using something with an extremely pungent odor. This strong but unpleasant accelerant is then masked with a sweet smell which covers and transforms it into incense. While the sweet smell is the actual perfume, it alone would be powerless and unnoticed without the unpleasant odor to which it is attached.

    “Said R. Hana b. Bizna in the name of R. Hisda the pious: A fast in which none of the sinners of Israel participate is no fast; for behold the odor of galbanum is unpleasant and yet it was included among the spices for the incense. Abaye says: We learn this from the text: And hath founded his vault upon the earth.” (Keritot 6b)

    This is the secret and the power of the ketoret: A foul smell - something evil, putrid - is covered and transformed by good. This is the essential dynamic of teshuva (repentance) itself, the concept of spiritual growth and transformation which the ketoret helps bring about.

    The lesson of ketoret extends beyond teshuva. Life consists of both good, happy, fragrant moments along with difficult, sad moments that just plain stink. The ketoret teaches us that everyone will experience both. Instead of trying to avoid the “stink” we should do our best to put it into perspective and count our blessings. Moreover the difficulty itself can be elevated into an opportunity for growth. Nobody wants to experience hard times, and yet many people acknowledge that those hard times were crucial in shaping the person that they became.

    The Talmud says that if any of the ingredients in ketoret were to be omitted (on purpose) then the punishment is death. This teaches us that we must not overlook any situation that we experience. Similarly from the perspective of Klal Yisrael, we must recognize the value of every Jew. Every individual is valuable. We each contribute something unique to the totality. In Tanach, we find that one way to stop a Divine plague is by offering incense. During a plague, everyone is in the same boat. Our uniqueness will not save us from the plague. During a plague we are all the same in that we are all similarly vulnerable. Offering incense is a way to combat a plague, since ketoret teaches the importance of the individual.

    The Torah says that the incense offering would create a “pleasant aroma for Hashem.” When we realize that all of our experiences are opportunities for growth we too can create a pleasant aroma for Hashem - and for ourselves. When we appreciate that every Jew matters we can create a pleasant aroma for Hashem - and for ourselves.