ANGER:
“The lion is the
mightiest of animals, and turns away before know one.” (Proverbs 30:30)
The lion is the king of all the other animals and with this power comes great responsibility of self control. It uses its mida, character trait of ferociousness to lead the other animals in the proper way. So too, with the example of Hashem with what seems like anger to us sometimes, is a proper mida to keep us in order.
“The forcing of wrath
bringeth forth strife.” (Mishlei 30:33)
It is remarkable how often we say and do things knowing full
well how much it will hurt another. That is even if it is something baring no
significant purpose.
“A man of great wrath
shall suffer punishment.” (Mishlei 19:19)
If you are angry over frivolous things, Hashem will give you something to
really be angry about.
“It is the wisdom of
a man that restraineth his anger”. (Mishlei 19:11)
If a person would think more first, it would be impossible
to be angry. Why, because anger doesn’t help a person, it just delays the
salvation and solution to the problem.
“For the fool is
killed by anger”. (Job 5:2)
Anger destroys the holy life-force inside a person. Without
the holy life-force, a person is like a dead man.
“Do not become
friendly with one who has a temper and do not come together with an irascible
person.” (Proverbs 22:24)
When a person is angry, not only do they remove the Shechinah
from themselves but also they remove it from those around them. Therefore, it
is wise to stay away from this person, especially during their fits.
“And the man of anger
is abundant in sin”. (Proverbs 29:22)
You will not find a man who angers easily not stooped in his
tyvos.
“He who waxes in
anger he bears his punishment. (Proverbs 19:19)
A person who has lots of anger also has lots of strength to
undergo more punishment for their wrongdoings. For a calm, aidel person, Hashem
bares their sin.
“A man’s intellect is
the withholding of his anger” (Proverbs
If a person has anger in their heart, this affects their ability
to take in knowledge. The withholding of anger gives a person tremendous
understanding during a time usually prone to a display of anger,
“Do not hate your
brother in your heart”. (Vayikra 19:17)
People are fooled to believe that anger kept within is not
true anger. It is quite the contrary. It is the realest form.
“Let there not be in
you a strange G-D”. (Psalms 81:10)
Anger is a form of idolatry. If you are angry at any person,
thing, and life event –these are all included in Hashem so therefore your anger
is directed at Him.
“He who covers over
the faults of others seeks to maintain love, but he who keeps repeating an
action breaks up a friendship. (Proverbs 17:9)
Everyone has faults. To constantly reprove a person because
you are angry at their imperfection, truly shows your own imperfection with
anger.
“One who is slow to
anger is greater than a strong man”. (Proverbs 16:32)
The real strength of a person is their ability to control
their emotions.
“A gentle response
turns away anger; a negative response increases anger”. (Proverbs 15:1)
We should always seek having a gentle character in resolving
all matters. An angry response shows the high level of pride in which we regard
ourselves.
“Better is he who
withholds his wrath than the hero, and he who rules his spirit than the
conqueror of a city; and withholding of wrath is one of the thirteen attributes
stated in relation to the Blessed Creator.” (Proverbs 16:32)
The forces of impurity which stem from loosing ones temper
are so strong that it takes a warier to silence them. He is like a hero as he
saves damage to his soul and those who would be affected by him.
“In anger, You remembered mercy.” (Habakkuk 3:2)
When Hashem gets angry, it is not similar to that of flesh and blood. Hashem anger is filled with chesed; it is because of his mercy.
“The wicked man, when
his anger grows, [says that] He will not inquire [after My
deeds]. (Psalms 10:4)
An angry person has pride and therefore feels he is not responsible for his actions.