Anger

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Anger is one of the most telling traits about a person and enables him to interact with other people.[1]

Negativity of Anger

  1. One should try to avoid anger as much as possible.[2]
  2. One shouldn't get angry even over things that it is worthy to get angry about, in order to distance oneself from anger.[3]
  3. One who gets angry is as if one worshipped idols. The lives of people who get angry aren't "life".[4]

Strengthening Oneself Not to Get Angry

  1. Notice that everyone has pressures and attachments to certain things which will naturally get him angry and almost everyone does get angry at times. Though, a person is praiseworthy if he's able to take longer to get angry and shorten the time that it takes to be appeased.[5]

Ramifications of Being Angry

  1. One should avoid praying when angry.[6]

Showing Anger for a Positive Purpose

  1. In circumstances where necessary to admonish one's children, one should try to outwardly give off the impression of being angry but not actually getting angry on the inside.[7]
  2. One should avoid yelling and screaming and banging on the table to prove one's point. However, one may show excitement and can become upset if he is doing so pure heartedly as an expression of love for truth. Anger or losing one's temper out of frustration of being disagreed with is forbidden.[8]

Sources

  1. Eruvin 65b
  2. Rambam Hilchot Deot 2:3
  3. Kitzur SA 29:4
  4. Gemara Shabbat 105b, Kitzur SA 29:4
  5. Pirkei Avot 5:11
  6. Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 93:2. Shulchan Aruch Hamiddot vol. 1 pg. 212 quotes the Orchot Tzaddikim who brings two reasons for this:
    1. One can not have proper concentration at that time.
    2. The Shechinah does not rest upon a person who is angry.
  7. Shulchan Aruch Hamiddot vol. 1 pg. 184
  8. Shulchan Aruch HaMiddot vol. 1 pg. 205