The weekly Torah reading of Ki Tisa details the ingredients for the ketoret, the incense burned daily on the inner altar. Rabbi Goldwicht explains that the incense epitomises smell which is the most delicate of the senses and has the power to unite opposing forces. In creating Adam, G-d breathed life through his nostrils, imbuing the physical earthly body with a spiritual G-dly soul. For that reason, smell is the only sense which was not corrupted when Adam and Chava ate from the Tree of Knowlesge.

In terms of communal unity, we are told that the ketoret included a foul smelling ingredient, representing the wicked person. Through mixing the chelbonah (galbanum) with the other pleasant ingredients, its odour is neutralised and the sweet smelling ketoret becomes whole and fit for service in the Temple.  Its not by chance that one of the symbosl for the month of Adar is the nose. In these times of isolation and fear, we need to be extra vigilant to remember our connection to Hashem and the people around us. Shabbat Shalom.