The Spiritual Impact of Anger: Reflections from Orchot Tzadikim

In the vast majority of cases, anger is a negative trait. In this discussion, we will delve into the detailed reasons why anger is particularly harmful, as explained in Chapter 12 of Orchot Tzadikim¹.

To understand why anger is so detrimental, it’s helpful to examine its various negative effects more closely. The Hebrew word “lehavin” (להבין), meaning “to understand,” is related to “bein” (בין), which means “between” or “to differentiate.” This connection highlights that understanding involves distinguishing between different aspects or effects. By differentiating the specific ways in which anger is harmful—such as its impact on personal behavior, relationships, and spiritual well-being—we can gain a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of its overall detrimental nature. This detailed analysis helps us appreciate the full scope of anger’s negative effects and why it is so important to address and manage it effectively.

Anger Diminishes Divine Awareness

Our Sages also said (Nedarim 22b): “Anyone who becomes angry, even the Divine Presence is not significant in his eyes,” as it is written (Psalms 10:4): “The wicked, in the pride of his countenance, does not seek; all his thoughts are, ‘There is no God.’”

According to the Talmud, when someone becomes angry, it is as if Hashem’s presence becomes insignificant to them. This is because anger tends to make a person intensely focused on their own feelings and desires, often to the point of self-absorption. When someone is consumed by anger, their attention is directed solely toward their own grievances and emotions, overshadowing any recognition of what the Torah and Hashem demand of them and how they ought to act. This self-centered focus creates a barrier between them and Hashem.

Anger Erodes Respect and Influence

The angry man does not find favor in the eyes of his fellow creatures; he is in fact hateful in their eyes. And thus, his deeds are not received favorably by his fellow creatures. Even if he possesses knowledge of the Torah and has many good deeds to his credit, people cannot learn from him.

An angry person often struggles to earn respect and favor from others. Their unapproachable and unpleasant demeanor leads to a negative perception, overshadowing any good deeds or Torah knowledge they may have. Despite possessing positive qualities or achievements, their anger diminishes their ability to be an effective role model or teacher. Consequently, people are less likely to be inspired by or learn from someone who is consistently angry.

Anger Leads to Domestic Strain

The angry man is a burden on his household, who are always compelled to hear his wrath and his complaints, and his temper brings him very near to a calamity, for he casts too much terror on his household. As we learn in the Talmud (Gittin 7a) concerning Rabbi Hanina, the son of Gamliel; his household was brought almost to the point of feeding him a piece of meat cut from a living creature.

According to the Talmud, when someone becomes angry, it is as if Hashem’s presence becomes insignificant to them. This is because anger tends to make a person intensely focused on their own feelings and desires, often to the point of self-absorption. When someone is consumed by anger, their attention is directed solely toward their own grievances and emotions, overshadowing any recognition of what the Torah and Hashem demand of them and how they ought to act. This self-centered focus creates a barrier between them and Hashem.

An angry person creates a stressful and difficult environment at home, with their constant wrath and complaints making daily life burdensome for family members. Their temper can escalate to cause serious harm or crisis, instilling fear and anxiety that lead to severe consequences. The Talmudic story of Rabbi Hanina, son of Gamliel, exemplifies this impact, as his anger nearly drove his household to the extreme measure of feeding him meat cut from a living animal. This account highlights how anger can push a household to extreme and distressing situations.

Anger Leads to Conflict and Resentment

The wrathful man is not gracious or generous. He is constantly seeking revenge and always bears a grudge. Anger brings a man into quarrels for when he is angry with his companions, they quarrel with him and he quarrels with them. And when there is a quarrel, there is, of course, resulting envy and hatred. 

An angry person is typically ungracious and ungenerous, as their focus on grievances and desire for revenge prevents them from being kind towards others. This preoccupation with past wrongs and holding grudges leads to frequent conflicts and disputes with others. These quarrels foster negative emotions, such as envy and hatred, and can escalate into ongoing resentment and ill-will between people.

Anger Overpowers Wisdom

The Sages said : “By three things is a man known” (Eruvin 65b) and one of them is his anger, for when a man is angry his true nature can be recognized. If his wrath is stronger than his wisdom and he does things in the moment of his anger without regard to his wisdom, then you can see the character of his wrath. But if his wisdom is stronger than his anger and he does not say or do anything when angry that he would not say or do when he is free from anger, then you can see the extent of his wisdom.

How a person manages their anger reveals much about their character. When a person’s wisdom outweighs their anger, they are able to act with restraint and integrity, demonstrating a strong and principled character. This indicates that their behavior is guided by reason rather than raw emotion. Conversely, if anger dominates and leads to impulsive or inconsiderate actions, it exposes weaknesses in self-control and judgment. Thus, the way we handle anger not only affects our immediate responses but also reflects our deeper values and self-discipline.

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There we have five different ways in which anger is harmful – it causes a person to ignore and forget about Hashem, it causes us to become people who are not respected by others, it can cause tensions and problems within our family – harming those closest to us, it causes us to be resentful and not generous as a result, and it overpowers our wisdom and judgment. 

The author begins the chapter on anger with a powerful analogy:

Anger is a bad quality and just as scurvy is a disease of the body so is anger a disease of the soul. 

This comparison emphasizes how damaging anger can be, comparing it to a serious illness of the soul. Cast your mind back to the extensive precautions we took to avoid contracting COVID-19, this analogy reminds us that we should approach spiritual diseases, namely anger, with the same level of seriousness. We need to adopt a mindset that prioritizes preventing and managing anger as carefully as we would with any serious health condition.

1. This chapter from Orchot Tzadikim offers a wealth of thought-provoking insights, and it is recommended to read it in its entirety for a fuller understanding. Here we will pick out a few points to look into closer. ↩︎