Talmud, Massehet B’rachot 57b
Three things restore a person’s good spirits: beautiful sounds, sights, and smells.
It is Saturday night. It is time to make Havdalah. I gather the wine cup, the special candle, and the Bessamin (spices) tower. I start with the verses of deliverance, then I recite the blessing over the wine, followed by the moment to bless the spices. I inhale the delicious smell of the spices, and the magic of this moment involves me completely.
The spices in the Havdalah ceremony are usually cooking spices. I use a mixture of cinnamon and cloves, and one can use lavender, anise, nutmeg or allspice (to name a few), too. We smell the spices in order to carry the wonderful smells of Shabbat with us throughout the week. Another reason for smelling the spices is that when Shabbat began, we received a Neshamah Yeterah, an “additional soul.” This is a soul that knows only the delights of Shabbat, and gives us an idea of what a world that has only a Shabbat experience can be like, a world without strife, without famine, without sadness. That soul goes away as Shabbat ends, and we help our souls by smelling the spices and reminding ourselves that next week these delicious smells will be back with us. By the way, this is also the reason why calories don’t count on Shabbat, because when Shabbat ends, the Neshamah Yeterah takes away all the extra calories we consumed on Shabbat (how’s that for wishful thinking?).
I think our tradition is quite wise in having us say good-bye to the wonderful smells of Shabbat, using our senses to help us make the transition between sacred and mundane, between Kodesh VeChol. After all, walking into a home that is ready for Shabbat, with the delicious smells of hallah, food and desserts coming from the kitchen, is one of the most restoring experiences one can have. After a week filled with time crunches, stresses, heavy traffic, and tight schedules, we enter this other reality. Our tempo slows down, and we are able to enjoy family and friends. I believe this change of pace and attitude is aided by the wonderful smells of Shabbat. As we get ready to face another week, to go back to our routine, our tradition insists that we take with us a hint of what is precious, to help us face all the challenges we might find during the week. Having both Shabbat and the Havdalah ceremony always makes me happy. Smelling the good food and the spices helps my soul be ready for a change of pace. I am grateful for the wisdom of the Jewish tradition, that understands the need of sensory help so I can be present and mindful.
May we always be blessed with beautiful smells that restore our good spirits, and help our souls shift from one moment to another with wholeness and gratitude.