Remarkably, in each of the last three weekly Torah portions that were read during this latest outbreak and its widespread impact, the role of perhaps the holiest of services in the Holy Temple, the Ketores, the Incense, that we are taught possesses the power to quell plagues, is featured.

Yet in the days of Korach, when he, together with Dasan and Aviram and their two hundred and fifty cohorts, rebelled against the leadership of Moshe and Aharon, a showdown took place.

The rebels, as well as Aharon, were told to offer the ‘most desirous’ of all offerings, the Ketores.

The one whose offering would be accepted would be determined as G-d’s choice to serve.

The rest is history. The earth swallowed up Korach, Dasan and Aviram, and a flame came forth that consumed the two hundred and fifty rebels who offered he incense.

The people were distressed over these events and accused Moshe and Aharon of causing their deaths, attributing their demise to the ‘killer’ Ketores. A plague ensued. Moshe then instructed Aharon to offer the Ketores taking it to the assembly to stop the plague. The plague ceased.

In Italy, where there exists a significant Jewish community, who has suffered greatly from the Coronavirus, the Rabbinical Assembly re-instituted an ancient tradition that was implemented yet in the sixteenth century by the great scholar and Kabbalist Rabbi Abraham Yagel, during a similar health crisis, to remedy the disease by reciting the Torah portion of the ‘plague’ stifling Ketores.

What is the secret curative power of the Ketores?

The great sage, Rav Avigdor Miller, quotes Maimonedes who suggests that the Incense created an atmosphere of pleasantness that was sensed by all who served in the Temple. This was the message of the Ketores - to serve G-d with joy and sweetness. When G-d observes our fulfilling His will, with delight, we find special favor in His eyes and are deserving of His protection.

When Aharon was instructed to take the Ketores and walk among the people, he did it with joy and a sense of a privileged and elevated purpose. It is that positive energy that cures those who have been stricken with disease.

My son-in-law, Eli Atias, a businessman who interacts with many non-Jewish customers, related to me that last week his clients bemoaned to him how they felt so shaken having lost their ability to eat-out, attend sports, movies, and other social venues. Eli, shared with me that while they were complaining, he was thinking to himself how fortunate he was as a Jew because he has his chavrusah, his Shul, his davening b’tzibur, to buoy him through life.

But now we don’t even have that.

Although we have lost, temporarily, many of the familiar instruments of our spiritual life, we can still daven, maybe now without rushing, in a slow place, being able to focus on what we say, connecting more deeply with our Creator.

We may not have the exciting atmosphere of the Bais Medrash, but we will still possess an intimate bond with the Giver of the Torah, when we absorb, with a bit less pressure, the joyous morsels of Torah, relishing it in a way we may have missed previously.

We possess the secret vaccine against all viruses, the sweet joy of our relationship with G-d!

But there is another remarkable facet to its remarkable curative quality.

Korach and his company were highly ambitious people. But their ambitions were misplaced.

We often do not appreciate who we are. We mistakenly think unless I accomplish ‘my’ personal dreamed for goals in life, we are unworthy.

G-d appreciates us like no other. The sweet smell of the Incense represents the inherent bouquet of fragrances that emanate from each one of us, that G-d with His keen sense of smell can detect like no other. (Tanchuma)

The fragrant incense, in distinction to animal sacrifices, was brought to bring joy to G-d, and display His personal satisfaction with his servants.

The early commentaries point out that the word for incense, קטרת, is actually an acronym of the following words: ק-דושה, sanctity; ט-הרה , purity;ר-חמים , compassion;ת-קוה , hope.

How are these attributes and attitudes unique to the Incense?

In Israel, many schools have report cards with three categories of general comments assessing the child’s standing: מאוד  טוב -very good, טוב -good, and כמעט טוב -nearly good. A good-humored teacher who had a student who was both greatly challenged and very difficult, added a fourth category, יהיה טוב  -It will be good!

G-d wants us to be in a state of joy, so that we may sense His love and appreciation.

The scent that rises from the special formula unique to the Ketores, represent the inner essence of that which stems from the vaporized molecules, that which is invisible and ethereal. G-d acknowledges the inner essence of each of our beings, our special souls, which strive towards closeness, even when externally it may not appear as such. G-d knows that we will each come to manifest that spark of holiness that is bursting forth.

He senses and cherishes those who have reached sanctity, and even those who have only sloughed off impurity alone. His compassion understands the struggles of those who are still entrenched in contamination, trying to come clean. And even those who seemingly wander purposelessly, G-d still holds out hope, that indeed, יהיה טוב, it will be good!

I strongly believe that we have been temporarily placed in a situation where we have less distractions, lessened ambitions, diminished pressures. There is only so much we can do.

An exercise enthusiast, usually swimming, I was forced, with pools now shut, to power walk instead. As I walked through the neighborhood, I observed parents, now less pressured, sitting and talking warmly and calmly with each other, as their kids played on their front lawn. I saw a older couple strolling and engaged in animated, but loving discussion. I saw two teenage boys biking happily together.

The world seems worried, but calmer, more focused, more attentive and connected even while we are more physically distanced.

People are utilizing the opportunity to daven alone, not pressured, to find more meaning in their davening, sensing the presence of G-d as they daven as they never have. People are reaching out to aid those in need, now that they are not bound to their daily tedious routines, as much as before.

The beautiful scent is rising from a magnificent people as never before. The true aroma that G-d so longs for is becoming evident.

May we each employ the recitation of this powerful prayer, the portion of Ketores.

But more importantly, may we bring joy to our spiritual lives and may we discover and appreciate who we really are. G-d certainly does, and no doubt He will grant us in that merit, protection from this scourge and good health for all.

When G-d observes how strongly, even in the face of challenge, we strive to improve and ‘be good’, we can be assured יהיה טוב, It will be good!

באהבה,

צבי יהודה טייכמאן