[Avodah] Aromatherapy

[Micha Berger]

Judging from an email I got, my previous post requires clarification.

Aromatherapy is not medicinal in nature. It's more meditational. A way
to enduce relaxation, alertness, soundness-of-mind, etc... So, I don't
think refu'ah would apply. This is hana'ah.

Mugmar is already discussed (see the QSA 56:1
<http://www.kitzur.net/main.php?siman=58>, for example). Stam, hana'ah
for rei'ach is assumed not to include the moment after you leave the
incense, which is why Chazal didn't coin a berakhah for it. I'm arguing
that aromtherapy is a new metzi'us -- a desire to get a lingering effect
(affect?) from incense.

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

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Micha Berger             It is our choices...that show what we truly are,
micha at aishdas.org        far more than our abilities.
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