The Hidden Beauty of the World's Foulest Scents: Discovering Divinity in Unlikely Aromas

Show Notes
Transcript

Could the most offensive odors carry a hidden beauty? This episode peels back the layers of our sensory experiences to reveal the spiritual dimensions of smell. We dive into a conversation that might initially wrinkle your nose—the world's most disgusting scents, from the familiar stench of rotten eggs to the acrid burn of feathers. Yet, as Rabbi Yerucham shares Rashi's insights, we find ourselves surprisingly moved by the notion that the most disagreeable aromas can ascend as 'pleasing aromas' to the divine.

Prepare to be captivated as we explore how ancient rituals and our modern sensibilities intersect, shedding new light on dignity and respect for the less fortunate among us. Rabbi Yerucham's profound perspective transforms our understanding of spirituality—one whiff at a time. As we reflect on the sacrifices of the past, we're encouraged to shift our perceptions and embrace a newfound appreciation for the sacrifices hidden in plain scents around us today. This is not just an auditory journey; it's an olfactory revelation.

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Transcript

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What is the most nauseating, sickening and revolting smell known to mankind?

00:00:09.695 --> 00:00:25.609
You might want to hold your nose for this one, but when people are asked what's the worst smell that they have ever smelt in their lives, the popular answers are rotten eggs, rotten cheese, spoiled milk.

00:00:25.609 --> 00:00:30.615
Walking past a sewer drain on a hot day Sounds horrible.

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But one of the most common answers, the most stomach-turning answer very popular one was burning bird feathers.

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Burning bird feathers that when you burn bird feathers people say that it has kind of a quasi-meaty burning hair-like odor Doesn't sound very appetizing.

00:00:55.802 --> 00:00:56.764
So why is it?

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Frech Rashi an unbelievable insight from the great Rabbi Rucham with a really astonishing Rashi.

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Rashi is bewildered.

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Why is it that when the pauper will bring his sacrifice, he shall tear the bird apart with its feathers?

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Do not remove the feathers.

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It should be an elevation, it should be an offering that it should go up this karban with the feathers.

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The Rashi's bothered.

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There is ain't nafshai kotza alov.

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There isn't anyone in the world whose soul isn't absolutely disgusted by the smell of burning feathers.

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So how could the Pasek say vehiktir?

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The Kohen would take it and then offer it that it should become a reach nichoach.

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This is a pleasing aroma.

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This is a putrid odor, sezer Ashi, because k'dei sheyehei hamezbeach.

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Sovea u'mehudar bekarbanel shel'ani, so that the altar should be adorned and filled with the glorious carbon of the Pope.

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Because this smell it's coming from a carbon of somebody that doesn't have very much money.

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All he can afford is a small bird, so we don't want to start picking it apart and make his carbon look even more pathetic than it already is.

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But, no, keep everything on it, keep the feathers and the smell that adorns Hashem's Mizbeah.

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That is the pleasing aroma to Hashem.

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It's something unbelievable.

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That is the pleasing aroma to Hashem.

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It's something unbelievable.

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Perhaps we need to re-get into our spiritual noses and redefine certain smells, because, while it is and practically Rabbi Yerucham says that sometimes you'll have a collector, someone who's a masholach, who's coming from somewhere to collect money Maybe he hasn't had the chance to have such a clean shower in such a long time.

00:03:07.531 --> 00:03:13.951
So maybe you don't want to get so near to somebody who isn't so particular about their smell or cleanliness.

00:03:13.951 --> 00:03:17.126
You are a bit standoffish.

00:03:17.126 --> 00:03:19.246
No, you get cozy with him.

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That's the reyach nichayach l'hashem.

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This is somebody who's going through tough times and Ani, it's the same smell.

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It's the Reach Ni Chayich La Hashem.

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And Soveya Umehudar Esamizbeya.

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Get in his hands, get cozy with him, put his coat on.

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Let us redefine our sense of smell for what is truly disgusting, revolting and sickening.

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And what is the pleasing fragrance of HaKadosh Baruch Hu?

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