Smell: Overlooked Sense

    In The Aroma Of Righteousness: Scent and Seduction in Rabbinic Life and Literature written by Deborah A. Green, she talks about how important fragrances were to the Jewish culture during the late Roman and early Byzantine periods. "First, odor, whether pleasing or foul, enters almost every aspect of our lives -- its subtle pervasiveness affects our attitudes and judgements toward both the mundane and the sacred." In this quote, Green says that smell is in of every part of our lives and it affects us more than we think. That smell, whether good or bad, is important. These smells can affect our "attitudes and judgements toward both the mundane and the sacred." If we were to smell something unpleasant it could represent impurity or sin. But if we walk past something pleasant it could represent holiness.  

    "Most scholars agree, though, that our senses are "mediated experience"; that is, when we experience an event through our senses, our brain interprets that experience. This interpretation may involve our personal history (our experience of that sensation before), our generation, our culture, our religion, or any number of factors." By "mediated experience" she's saying that, for example, if two people were to smell the same dish that because of their culture, religion, generation etc, they may interpret that smell differently. For example, there is a dish called "curry goat" in Caribbean culture. However, in Indian culture it's referred to as "goat curry." It's mainly the same dish, curry with goat meat. There are just a few differences in spices, cooking methods and ingredients. Because of this they could taste a bit different to each culture.

    My brother and I grew up in the same household, with the same parents and went to the same school. However, there were certain foods he liked and ate often that I didn't eat because I couldn't stand the smell. I'm definitely a less picky eater now, but there are still some foods I will refuse to eat because of the smell. Just last year, my family and I were in Europe and my brother takes us to this sardine festival. It felt like my own personal hell because I hate the smell of sardines. However, my brother was having the time of his life. 

    To sum up, smell shapes the way we relate to the world. There can be an unlimited amount of factors that affect this, such as, religion, culture, a past experience etc. 

Curry Goat aka Goat Curry

Sardines from the festival