Why can't women get closer to God through pleasant smells?

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I found the idea that women's use of aromatic items being seen as witchcraft, which is explained in the following quote, pretty sexist, but also thought provoking.

“Perfume, for example, which is often associated with romance, sexuality, and tranquility, can be viewed quite positively when referring to God (with attendant images of mercy and memory) but may have strong negative associations (witchcraft and idolatry) when applied to women” (Green, 15).

The fact that when rabbis would burn incense, it was seen as something being done to be closer to God, but if women were to burn incense, it would be assumed that it was for witchcraft bothers me. It states that rabbis have taught that if you walk past a town and smell and pleasant scent you should only say a blessing if you know that a majority of the inhabitants are Israelites, as you wouldn’t want to say a blessing over idolaters using incense for witchcraft or those using it for garment scenting. However, Rabbi Yossi states that even if the town is majority Israelite, not to say a blessing because the daughters of Israel light incense for witchcraft. I understand that they didn’t want to bless idolatry or garment scenting, it’s the assumption that any woman who lit incense was using it for witchcraft or garment scenting that I can’t get behind. 

If you compare that to the idea that women are always expected to have a pleasant scent, then and now, it further implies that all women practice witchcraft. This implication found in these two cases actively contradicts the idea of being closer to God with pleasant scents. If pleasant scents are to be blessed and bring you closer to God then it doesn’t make sense that women who burn incense would be assumed to be idolaters. Why not assume that they too want to be closer to God?


Comments

  1. SaachiMay 12, 2022 at 8:32 AM

    I feel similarly about the connection you made to women being called witches for smells in the past, and now having to face the expectation of always smelling good. I have always seen smells of flowers and delicate things in nature being annotated and feminine, however it is interesting to see how when they were actually put to use, it backfired on women. I think much of this discrimination come from the double standards our society has always had for women, especially those that intimidate society.

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