Anger prevents clear thinking TB Nedarim 22

The Gemara concludes on our daf TB Nedarim 22 that one may absolve a vow because of regret (kharata-חֲרָטָה) “Rava said that Rav Naḥman said: The halakha is that it is permitted for a halakhic authority to broach dissolution based on regret” (Sefaria.com translation) Since uncontrollable anger is a root cause for vowing and a good reason to annul a vow, the Gemara goes on to warn us against becoming angry.

“Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said that Rabbi Yonatan said: Anyone who gets angry, all kinds of Gehenna rule over him, because anger causes him to transgress all kinds of severe sins, as it is stated: “Therefore remove vexation from your heart and put away evil from your flesh” (Ecclesiastes 11:10), and the evil mentioned is nothing other than Gehenna, as it is stated: “The Lord has made everything for His own purpose and even the wicked for the day of evil” (Proverbs 16:4), which is interpreted to mean that ultimately the day of the evildoer in Gehenna will arrive.

“And not only that, but also hemorrhoids will control him, as it is stated: “But the Lord shall give you there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and languishing of soul” (Deuteronomy 28:65). Which is the matter of sickness that causes failing of the eyes in pain and causes languishing of the soul? You must say this is referring to hemorrhoids…

“Rabba bar Rav Huna said: Anyone who gets angry, at that moment even the Divine Presence is not important to him, as it is stated: “The wicked, in the height of his anger says: He will not require; all his thoughts are: There is no God” (Psalms 10:4). Rabbi Yirmeya of Difti said: Anyone who gets angry forgets his learning and increases foolishness, as it is stated: “For anger rests in the bosom of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9), and it is written: “But a fool unfolds folly” (Proverbs 13:16). Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: With regard to one who gets angry, it is acknowledged that his sins are more numerous than his merits, as it is stated: “And a wrathful man abounds in transgression” (Proverbs 29:22).” (Sefaria.org translation)

Rabbi Zelig Pliskin authored a whole book on the topic of anger entitled Angry: the Inner Teacher A Nine Step Program to Free Yourself from Anger. I’ll share a passage from his section called Anger Prevents Clear Thinking because relates to our daf and it provides a simple solution to help us refrain from saying something in anger something we regret later.

“The purpose of anger is to protect us when we are in physical danger. When we experience anger, many physiological changes take place in our circulatory system. Blood flows to where it is needed the most to defend ourselves from injury. The biochemistry system produces more adrenaline to give us greater strength to fight or take flight. At the same time, less blood flows to her brain. Because the brain receives less oxygen from our blood when were angry, our thinking is not clear. We tend to react impulsively and say things we regret. We do not take into account how much we stand to lose by our actions. In anger, people quit good jobs, and break off the most precious friendships and relationships. If we were calmer and thought more clearly, we would see that the other person really did not cause us any actual loss or harm, or that the losses are minor and inconsequential. We would see that the target of our anger did not do anything wrong or improper, that he was just acting his own best interests, just as we try to act in ways we feel are in our own best interests.

“One easy-to-apply tool to decrease anger and enhance clarity of thought is to breathe slowly and deeply. The extra oxygen calms our muscle system and enables more oxygen to reach the thinking center of our brain. As soon you are aware that you are angry, make it a habit to start breathing slowly and deeply. If possible, takes 10 slow, deep breaths. This slow breathing works best when you repeat to yourself the words ‘calm and relaxed’ over and over again.” (Page 42)

Clear thinking leads to speaking better and wiser. Speaking better and wiser leads to appropriate behavior. Appropriate behavior leads to less sinning. Less sinning leads to a healthier and more spiritual life. Indeed, anger is only one letter away from danger.