Antonio Mcgowan
Incense has been used by many cultures throughout history, including the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Greeks, and Romans. The use of incense in Judaism is referred to as incense offering or ketoret in Hebrew. The practice has biblical origins, with the Book of Exodus providing a recipe for sacred incense to be burned in the wilderness Tabernacle. The offering of incense was also mentioned in the New Testament, with references to the coals from the altar of incense on the Day of Atonement and the prayers of believers as incense. While the use of incense in synagogues is primarily associated with Rabbinic Jews, who consider it a replacement for the Jerusalem Temple, it has also been used by Jews in other contexts, such as during meals and for aromatherapy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burning incense in synagogues | Rabbinic Jews burn incense in synagogues in commemoration of the temple, citing the verse 'And I shall be a diminished temple unto them' as support for the sanctity of synagogues. |
| Burning incense as an act of worship | Incense was burned as an act of worship in ancient times, and this practice is still evident in some religions today. |
| Incense ingredients | Incense was made from costly materials such as sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. |
| Incense in the Hebrew Bible | The Hebrew Bible mentions incense with four ingredients, while the Talmud lists 11 ingredients, including three hundred and sixty-eight mina. |
| Incense in the Old Testament | The offering of incense is mentioned in the Old Testament, particularly in the sacrificial legislation of the middle Pentateuch. |
| Incense in the New Testament | The New Testament makes typological references to incense, including a Christological reference to the coals from the altar of incense on the Day of Atonement. |
| Incense in daily life | Incense was used to perfume garments, beds, and noble guests in ancient times, and it was customary to pass incense around on a brazier after meals. |
| Incense and prayer | Burning incense during prayer is not inherently forbidden, but doing it specifically "for prayer" may be considered inappropriate in the Jewish context. |
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What You'll Learn
Incense in the Hebrew Tabernacle and Temple rites
Incense was widely used in ancient Oriental religions, including Egyptian and Babylonian-Assyrian worship. The use of incense in the cult of Israel, however, is only mentioned in the later parts of the Old Testament.
The burning of incense was a part of the Hebrew Tabernacle and Temple rites. The incense altar was located at the end of the Holy compartment of the Tabernacle, next to the curtain dividing it from the Most Holy. The Tabernacle altar was made of copper and symbolised the body, while the gold altar in the Temple was reserved for burning incense and symbolised the human life force. The sacred incense was burned every morning and evening, and its recipe is described in the Book of Exodus:
> Take unto yourself sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be an equal weight: And you shall make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together [salted], pure and holy: And you shall beat some of it very small, and put it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with you.
The Talmud lists seven additional components from the oral Torah, and the rabbis of the Talmud expanded the description of the recipe from four ingredients to eleven. The incense was offered in a pan ("maḥtah") carried by the priest in his right hand, with a spoon-like vessel called "kaf" containing the incense in his left.
The practice of burning incense in synagogues in commemoration of the Temple was discontinued over time and became the centre of a controversy between Karaites and Rabbinic Jews in the medieval period. However, it remained in evidence until the 19th century for purposes of conveying respect or on festive occasions.
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Incense in synagogues
The use of incense in Jewish rituals and synagogues dates back to ancient times. Incense was an important component of priestly liturgy in the Tabernacle and the First and Second Temple periods. The Book of Exodus describes a sacred incense recipe made from costly materials contributed by the congregation, including sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. This incense was burned on a dedicated altar in the Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. The Talmud mentions the House of Avtinas as responsible for compounding the incense during the Second Temple period.
In the biblical period, the burning of incense in commemoration of the Temple may have begun after the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE. This practice is mentioned in Jeremiah 41:5, where pilgrims from Nablus, Shiloh, and Samaria brought grain offerings and frankincense to the Temple in Jerusalem shortly after its destruction. However, the specific purpose of burning incense remains unclear.
While the use of incense in synagogues is not explicitly mentioned in early Hebrew literature, it was a common practice in ancient Oriental religions, including Egyptian and Babylonian-Assyrian worship. The offering of incense may have been less prominent in early Hebrew culture, but it gained significance in later times. Rabbinic Jews cite the verse "And I shall be a diminished temple unto them" to support the use of incense in synagogues, considering the synagogue a diminished or alternative temple.
In Jewish communities in Eastern countries, Yemen, and Europe, the burning of incense in synagogues was observed on Sabbath Eve and holidays such as Simchat Torah, Rosh Hodesh, and Chanukah. This custom served to convey respect, enhance the atmosphere, and communicate meaningful Jewish concepts. However, the practice of burning incense in synagogues was discontinued over time and became a matter of controversy between Karaites and Rabbinic Jews during the medieval period.
Today, the use of incense in Jewish prayer and rituals is less common, although some individuals may choose to burn incense during personal prayer or Havdalah at the end of the Sabbath. The connection between prayer and incense is acknowledged, but burning incense specifically as a part of prayer is generally not practiced.
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Incense in the New Testament
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies across the world, from ancient times to the present day. The New Testament makes several references to incense, including a Christological reference in Hebrews 9:3–4 to the coals from the altar of incense taken behind the veil on the Day of Atonement. The New Testament also refers to the prayers of believers as incense in Revelation 5:8 and 8:3.
Incense was used in the Temple in Jerusalem, with the Book of Exodus providing a recipe for its composition. According to the Talmud, the House of Avtinas was responsible for compounding the incense in the days of the Second Temple. The recipe included costly materials such as sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, which were contributed by the congregation. The use of incense in the Temple rites continued until the 19th century, particularly in Jewish communities in Eastern countries, Yemen, and Europe.
Rabbinic Jews continued the practice of burning incense in synagogues, citing the verse 'And I shall be a diminished temple unto them' as support for the sanctity of synagogues. They viewed the synagogue as a diminished Temple or a replacement for the Jerusalem Temple, thus justifying the use of incense as a sign of respect or on festive occasions. However, this practice was not accepted by the Karaites, who disagreed with the idea that the synagogue had been granted unwarranted tokens of sanctity.
The burning of incense is also associated with the concept of purification and ritualised cleansing during spiritual ceremonies. The medicinal fragrance of incense smoke, particularly from sea snail opercula, may have contributed to the purification of the holy temple.
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Incense in Jewish aromatherapy
Incense has been used in Jewish culture for centuries, with references to its use appearing in the Hebrew Bible and other ancient texts. The practice of burning incense is associated with religious rituals, aromatherapy, and cultural traditions.
Religious Rituals
In the context of religious rituals, the use of incense in Judaism is well-documented. The Hebrew word for incense is "qəṭōreṯ" or "ketoret," and it held religious significance in the time of the Tabernacle and the First and Second Temple periods. According to the Book of Exodus, God instructed Moses to create a sacred incense using specific sweet spices, stacte, onycha, and galbanum, mixed with pure frankincense. This incense was to be burned on a dedicated altar in the Tabernacle, and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. The smoke from the incense was believed to carry prayers to God and was used in various rituals, including the Day of Atonement.
Aromatherapy and Wellbeing
Incense has also been used in Jewish culture for its aromatic and therapeutic properties. In ancient times, Jews used incense to perfume their garments, beds, and living spaces. The pleasant aroma of incense was believed to bring joy and create a sense of holiness and purity. The use of incense was also associated with social customs, such as honouring noble guests by sprinkling them with perfume or burning incense after meals to freshen the air.
Cultural Traditions
Burning incense holds cultural significance in Judaism, especially in the context of commemoration and remembrance. Rabbinic Jews, for instance, burned incense in synagogues as a way to honour the destroyed Temple in Jerusalem. This practice, which began after the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE, was seen as a way to continue the rituals associated with the Temple and to affirm the status of the synagogue as a "diminished temple" or "mikdash me'at."
While the use of incense in Jewish religious rituals and cultural traditions has evolved over time, its aromatic and symbolic power continues to hold a place in Jewish culture and aromatherapy.
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Incense in Jewish homes
Incense has been used in Jewish culture for centuries, with references to its use appearing in the Hebrew Bible and Talmud. The burning of incense is associated with religious rituals and ceremonies, such as those performed in synagogues and temples. However, the use of incense in Jewish homes is less clear and may be a more recent practice.
In ancient times, incense was commonly used in the East, including in Jewish culture, as a way to perfume garments, beds, and people. It was also used during meals, with noble Jews passing incense ("mugmar") around on a brazier after eating. This custom is mentioned in an old marriage song (Ps. xlv. 9 [A. V. 8]), which describes the royal bridegroom's garments as "smell [ing] of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia."
The use of incense in religious contexts is more prominent in Jewish history. Incense was offered on altars in the Tabernacle and the First and Second Temple periods, with specific recipes and rituals prescribed in Jewish texts. The Book of Exodus, for example, describes a recipe for sacred incense that includes "sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum" to be burned before the lamps of the menorah. The Talmud provides additional components, and the rabbis of the Talmud expanded the recipe to include 11 ingredients.
While the burning of incense in synagogues and temples is well-documented, the use of incense in Jewish homes is less clear. Some sources suggest that incense was burned in Jewish homes during meals or as a way to create a sacred space for prayer. However, other sources indicate that the use of incense in Jewish homes may be a more recent practice, possibly influenced by the ancient custom of burning incense during meals or by the use of incense in other religious traditions.
Today, some Jews may choose to burn incense in their homes as a way to create a pleasant atmosphere or to enhance their religious practice. However, there are differing opinions on whether it is appropriate to burn incense specifically during prayer. While some Jews light incense before lighting Shabbat candles or during Havdalah at the end of the Sabbath, others view incense as an "air freshener" without any religious meaning. Ultimately, the decision to burn incense in one's home may depend on individual interpretation and the specific context in which it is used.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Jews used incense in ancient times. The burning of incense was a common practice in ancient Oriental religions, including the Babylonian-Assyrian cult, and Egyptian worship.
The burning of incense was a sacred practice, with the aromatic smoke believed to be a symbol of holiness, purity, compassion, and hope. The practice is also associated with the perception of the synagogue in Jewish consciousness as a 'diminished temple'.
Incense was burned on a special incense altar, at the end of the Holy compartment of the Tabernacle. The altar was made of copper, symbolising the body, and only incense was allowed to be burned on it. The incense was offered in a pan ("mahtah") carried by the priest in his right hand, along with a spoon-like vessel containing live coals in his left hand.
The recipe for the incense is described in the Book of Exodus and includes sweet spices, stacte, onycha, and galbanum, with the addition of frankincense. The Talmud lists seven additional components, and the rabbis of the Talmud expanded the recipe to include 11 ingredients.
