The Mishkan, for all its many animal offerings and throngs of people, maintained a pleasant scent. This was due to the daily burning of the ketoret (incense), which allowed a sweet aroma to waft through the air.
There were 11 ingredients in the ketoret, one of which was the chelb'na (galbanum), which had a rather unsavory odor. Yet, its inclusion was absolutely required, and its omission would render the ketoret invalid.
Rashi comments: "The inclusion of this ill-smelling spice teaches us to include, in our fasts and in our prayers, the 'sinners' of Israel, for they, too, are counted among us."
Now, Rashi is not just saying that we should "take the good with the bad," that we should expect that any community of multiple souls will, invariably, contain a few "bad apples." Rashi is much more forceful than that. He admonishes us to work towards the betterment of every Jew and never write them out of the fold, for if they are missing, then the whole compound is defective.
Rashi implies that a minimum obligation would be to pray and fast for those who we believe may have strayed from the path of holiness. A laudable effort, certainly. But a far more positive approach would be to include these Jews in our inner circle, to surround them with sweetness. Just as the unpleasant smell of the chelb'na was subsumed within the overall fragrance of the entire incense mixture, so the actions and attitudes of specific individuals will be "sweetened" as they interact with the Klal.
The very inclusion of an ill-smelling spice in the mix reminds us that it is never sufficient to watch out just for ourselves. We must reach out and embrace all Jews - including and especially those whom we deem to be repugnant. Yeshivot or shuls that discard those deemed "unsavory" would do well to re-examine their policies.
The fact that there are 10 spices welcoming an 11th suggests the image of a minyan of Jews that seeks to bring others into its midst. This minyan is not satisfied that its quorum has been officially established, permitting unabridged prayer. It seeks to expand and include other Jews, who may not be naturally drawn to the community.
The smell of smoke tends to stick to a person, even after he comes home. If that smell is sweet, it can spice up his whole day. That, I suggest to you, is the kind of ketoret the Almighty really desires; the kind that fills His palace with the most beautiful aroma of all.
There were 11 ingredients in the ketoret, one of which was the chelb'na (galbanum), which had a rather unsavory odor. Yet, its inclusion was absolutely required, and its omission would render the ketoret invalid.
Rashi comments: "The inclusion of this ill-smelling spice teaches us to include, in our fasts and in our prayers, the 'sinners' of Israel, for they, too, are counted among us."
Now, Rashi is not just saying that we should "take the good with the bad," that we should expect that any community of multiple souls will, invariably, contain a few "bad apples." Rashi is much more forceful than that. He admonishes us to work towards the betterment of every Jew and never write them out of the fold, for if they are missing, then the whole compound is defective.
Rashi implies that a minimum obligation would be to pray and fast for those who we believe may have strayed from the path of holiness. A laudable effort, certainly. But a far more positive approach would be to include these Jews in our inner circle, to surround them with sweetness. Just as the unpleasant smell of the chelb'na was subsumed within the overall fragrance of the entire incense mixture, so the actions and attitudes of specific individuals will be "sweetened" as they interact with the Klal.
The very inclusion of an ill-smelling spice in the mix reminds us that it is never sufficient to watch out just for ourselves. We must reach out and embrace all Jews - including and especially those whom we deem to be repugnant. Yeshivot or shuls that discard those deemed "unsavory" would do well to re-examine their policies.
The fact that there are 10 spices welcoming an 11th suggests the image of a minyan of Jews that seeks to bring others into its midst. This minyan is not satisfied that its quorum has been officially established, permitting unabridged prayer. It seeks to expand and include other Jews, who may not be naturally drawn to the community.
The smell of smoke tends to stick to a person, even after he comes home. If that smell is sweet, it can spice up his whole day. That, I suggest to you, is the kind of ketoret the Almighty really desires; the kind that fills His palace with the most beautiful aroma of all.