Bircas HaReiach
From "Reiach
HaSadeh"– now available from Feldheim
 The Pleasure of Fragrance
What significance does pleasure from fragrance have in regard to blessings? On one hand, the Sages teach us that we may not derive pleasure from this world without a blessing. This would seem to apply to all pleasures. However, we do not make a blessing on many pleasures. Pleasures of the senses of touch, hearing, or sight do not require a blessing. If one takes a hot bath, or anoints himself with oil, or hears a beautiful song, he will not make a blessing even though these are quite pleasurable. They are not considered significant enough to require a blessing.
We are familiar with making blessings on foods and drinks. The pleasure of eating and drinking is actually multifaceted. A living body is constantly burning nutrients and using fluids. The foods and liquids that a person consumes enable him to survive by replenishing the lost nutrients. Food and drink also give pleasure to the palate. On Shabbos and Yom Tov, we are enjoined to eat delicacies in honor of these holy days. This substantial pleasure surely elicits a blessing.
Fragrances do not sustain the human body; no scent will ever replace lost nutrients. Perhaps these too do not require a blessing. The Talmud derives from the verse “Every soul must praise G-d” (Psalms 150:6) that in fact a pleasure of the soul requires a blessing. The pleasure of smell is that delicate joy that delights the soul. Since the pleasure is so ephemeral, we will see a number of unprecedented laws pertaining to the blessings on fragrance.
No After Blessing
There are many similarities between the blessings on fragrances and the blessings on food. One of the most outstanding differences between the two is that there is no after blessing on fragrance. One explanation for this is that the degree of pleasure that one receives from fragrance is relatively insignificant. Another explanation is that immediately after smelling, the pleasure has totally dissipated. This is comparable to food which has already been digested, at which point the opportunity to say an after blessing has been lost.
No Sheheceyanu
The blessing shehecheyanu, “Who has kept us alive,” is made as an expression of joy at having lived to see another year. Edible fruits come out yearly, and we say the blessing shehecheyanu the first time we partake of each species. However, it is not our custom to say this blessing on fragrances. Why not? There are those who maintain that this is simply because spices are generally available all year long, but indeed we should make a shehecheyanu on those spices which do come out yearly. However, it is customary not to say the blessing shehecheyanu on any fragrances at all. The reason for this is the above principle that fragrance involves minimal pleasure.
An additional explanation is found in Me’am Loez: Based upon what we learned from the Talmud, that fragrance is a pleasure for the soul, we must work within the soul’s framework. The soul is eternal. The body is temporary and derives great pleasure at having lived to see another year’s produce, but the soul, being immortal, does not regard another year as a cause for rejoicing. Hence, we do not make the blessing shehecheyanu on fragrances. |
