In “A Chapter of the Psalms,” a translation of one of Peretz’ iconic Yiddish short stories, there is considerable conflict between the forces of rationalism and mysticism, as well as exploration of a theme that Peretz revisits time and again, i.e., that things are simply not what they seem to be on the surface. However, my attention was particularly drawn to a special talent enjoyed by Yochanan the water carrier, a simple man whose major religious activity was reciting Psalms with considerable difficulty. He confides under duress to the Rabbi of the city that as an answer to a prayer that he be able to discern true scholars from mere pretenders, Yochanan became Divinely endowed with a heightened and specific olfactory sensibility:
“There are some scholars from whose study a fresh odor arises, as of newly baked bread: those are simple students, innocent in heart; and there are some of higher degree from whom a perfume comes of new apples; and still others who remind me of the flowers of the field: and the highest are like precious spices.”
On the other hand, someone who was the epitome of hypocrisy and devoid of true belief, smelled to Yochanan like “the burning pitch of hell.”