Question:
B"H
Kavod haRav,
Thank you for your help. My question is: what is the definition of anger according to halacha? More specifically: If someone (who is davening to improve on anger and learning books etc.) feels that they got angry inside, but Hashem and the person getting angry inside are the ones who know about it (no person would sense they got angry as they did no outer behavior, did not yell etc.), does inner anger that does not get expressed outwardly count as "getting angry/ worshipping idols" according to halacha? Thank you.
Answer:
Hello,
We are all humans, and we have emotions, and only very big tzaddikkim can work their level to the degree that they don’t even get angry in the first place. For us though, if we have a feeling of anger, we work on it, and get it under control, and it doesn’t manifest itself in any way. That is terrific! The reason why a person who gets angry is like they worshipped idols, is because when a people get angry, they lose control over themselves, and are apt to do anything, even the worst of aveiros, such as idol worshipping. If you got angry inside, but controlled yourself, and worked to calm yourself down and accept what happened. It is not considered “getting angry/worshipping idols”.
As a side point, it is very impressive that you were able to work on yourself to the degree that you don’t get angry outwardly, and it stays inside, that is great. You just have to be careful that if you do get angry, that you should not come to hate the person you got upset with, and we are not allowed hate another Jew.
Best wishes, and keep on growing!
