Subject: In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiyahu (Barry Pessin)
From: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
Date: 1/14/2016, 2:27 PM
To: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
BCC: menachem@alonsystems.com
The Mishna says one should be not be easily angered.
Our Sages speak very strongly against the trait of anger stating that "one who becomes angry if he is wise, loses his wisdom" and even say that "one who becomes extremely enraged is as if he worships idols".
When a person becomes angry they usually lose them self in their rage and no longer have sound judgement. Therefore if they are wise their wisdom departs from them and they can commit some of the worst acts in a fit of rage even going as far as worshiping idols.
Rabbenu Yona- says that although anger is a natural human characteristic and most people are even naturally easily angered, one must strive to change his nature.
I am sure we can all identify with this problem as it is very common for us to say or do things out of anger which we later regret because we simply lost sound judgement.
How can this be combated? R'Chaim Freidlander zt'l offered a few very practical steps.
1) Be quiet! If you are angry don't talk because you will most likely regret what you say. You might need to excuse yourself and take some time alone but don't talk.
2) Smile, if you smile this will automatically impact your mood, you remain angry if you are smiling (try it).
3) In many cases though the anger is too strong and you can't even bring yourself to these options so instead of fighting the urge, tell yourself that you can get angry but not now only in 30 minutes. In this time most of the anger will subside and you will be able to evaluate the situation and or problem with clear judgement and respond accordingly.