It is not pleasant, not in the least. But every one of us can succumb to anger from time to time. Sometimes we lash against the bus driver because the bus is late, sometimes a kid overtakes us in a queue, and sometimes we explode over really critical issues. Our body temperature heats up, our blood flows more rapidly and we may find ourselves behaving erratically and out of control.

Do You Know What I Am Talking About?

Of course, you know full well. While we may admit that these moments are common to all of us and that this attitude is only human and normal, our Sages compare anger to Avoda Zara, idol worship. Yes, you read correctly “Any person who loses his temper in a rage is similar to an idol worshipper”.

And keeping in mind that Avoda Zara is the most critical sin in the Torah and that a person who engages in idol worship is considered as one who “denies the entire Torah”, let’s add that it’s the only prohibition, mentioned tens of times in the Torah. The latter warns us about the serious consequences involving idol worship, including the destruction of the Holy Temple. (The First Temple was destroyed following the practice of idol worship amid the population).

Thus, our Sages’ comparison between an angry person and an idol worshipper seems surprisingly mysterious and calls for clarification.

Our Sages justify this comparison in the following way: “The way the Yetzer Hara operates is as follows: One day he says “do this” and the next he says “do that” up until he suggests you practice idol worship. Thus, the comparison between anger and Avoda Zara has less to do with anger as such. It has to do with the consequence that awaits a man who cannot control his urges.

The evil inclination resides in all of us. It strives to influence us to make hasty and reactive decisions, without taking the time to properly weight their consequences. The compulsion to throw a tantrum each time something displeases us is directly orchestrated by the Yetzer Hara.

If we yield to the evil inclination on this point, our Sages warn that eventually, we will submit to it entirely. The evil inclination seeks to drag a man into a series of trials and tribulations which can inevitably lead to more serious offences, including Avoda Zara.   

When a man yields his greed, urges and desires, he is acting under the guidance of the Yetzer Hara.  According to our Sages, the Yetzer Hara is compared to a con-artist, who gradually tricks and deceives men, up until the latter fall into the lowest pits.  

So, What Shall We Do?

The only answer is self-control. Or, in the language of our Sages in the Treaty of Avot: “Who is a hero? One who controls his evil inclination”.Thus, we are commanded to develop self-control, conquer our evil inclination and start taking control of our lives. This is the only avenue for becoming the masters of our own actions and avoid submitting to the evil inclination.

Thus, our Sages had a valid reason for defining a person with self-control as a hero. It takes immense courage and effort to control oneself. It’s difficult, it’s exhausting, but it’s possible.

Next time something angers us, a single thought must be cultivated in our minds: who is controlling who? Do we control the situation or does it control us?

Good luck!