“Take yourself spices - stacte, onycha and galbanum...” (30:34)

                    The Torah records eleven ingredients that were offered on the Golden Altar twice daily. Among the spices listed was galbanum which had a foul aroma. From this the Talmud derives that a community is obligated to include sinners in its prayers. This is the source for the widely accepted custom instituted by Rabbi Meir of Rothenberg that prior to the onset of the Yom Kippur service, a formal declaration is proclaimed permitting all sinners to join with us in prayer. Why is this a requirement?

                 

                  The message of the galbanum is that no segment of the Jewish community has the right to take an elitist or exclusory position.   Hashem’s blessings and benevolence towards Bnei Yisroel is a result of the great mercy He shows us, and not due to our merit. If Hashem’s benevolence were based solely upon our productivity, we would not deserve it. We include the all segments of the community as an acknowledgment of this notion. Doing so further appeals to Hashem’s attribute of mercy by making the statement, “We include those who are clearly undeserving, for we realize that we too are undeserving, but nevertheless appeal to Your great love for Your people to bless us.”