Faith
Is Everyone Who Gets Angry Considered as if He Worships Idolatry?
Question
Hello,
It was said that one who breaks vessels in his anger is regarded as if he worships idolatry, so why is it also said about ordinary anger, when his coffee is spilled, that "anyone who gets angry is as if he worships idolatry"?
Thank you
Answer
Moadim lesimchah,
It is true that it is written in Tractate Shabbat (105b) that one who tears his garments in anger, breaks his vessels in anger, or throws away his money in anger should be regarded as if he worships idolatry, and it is not written there about someone who is simply angry that he is considered as if he worships idolatry. However, it is written in the holy Zohar (Bereshit, 27b) that anyone who gets angry is as if he worships idolatry, and the Rambam likewise wrote (Hilchot Deot 2:3): the early sages said that anyone who gets angry is as if he worships idolatry.
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
