N16
We are not to hold onto anger toward our neighbor.
Category: Neighbours & Brothers
Type: Negative
Form: Explicit
Source dataset: Old Testament
Uniqueness: Not unique
Classical commandment: Yes
New Covenant Literal Application
Applies to Person Categories: Not specified
Literal Application: Not specified
More explanation about New Covenant Literal Application
The New Covenant Literal Application Code (NCLA) is an interpretive guide used by the authors to indicate which person categories a mitzvah applies to, and at what level of literal compliance.
It combines person categories such as Jewish, K'rov Yisrael, and Gentile, together with male/female distinctions and an application level such as mandated, recommended, optional, or prohibited.
This code reflects the authors' interpretive opinion and is provided for prayerful consideration. On this page, the technical code is summarized into plain language to help new readers understand it more easily.
Bible references
Key NT Scriptures
- Ephesians 4:26-27
- Luke 10:25-28
- Mark 12:28-31
- Matthew 5:22
Key OT Scriptures
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Leviticus 19:17-18
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Proverbs 19:11
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Psalms 4:4-5
Supportive NT Scriptures
- Colossians 3:8
- Galatians 5:19-20
- James 1:19-20
Supportive OT Scriptures
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Ecclesiastes 7:9
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Proverbs 14:17
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Proverbs 14:29
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Proverbs 15:1
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Proverbs 15:18
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Proverbs 16:32
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Proverbs 22:24
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Proverbs 29:11
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Proverbs 29:22
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Psalms 37:8-9
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Commentary
Rabbi Michael Rudolph
Psalm 4:4(3) says: " You can be angry, but do not sin! ", and similarly, Ephesians 4:26 says: " Be angry, but don't sin. " Clearly, anger itself is not sinful, but what we do as a result of our anger often is, and that is why there are so many Scriptures that warn us against anger. Notice that both of the Scriptures above command us to not sin as a result of our anger - a comforting reminder that we can control our anger, and not sin on account of it. Anger can be directed toward a circumstance or even against our self, but this Mitzvah has to do with anger directed against a person (our neighbor), that we allow to persist. That, Matthew 5:22 says is sin, and Ephesians 4:26-27 says that we must not let the sun go down on our anger which means that in order to avoid sin, any anger we have toward our neighbor must be short-lived.
Classical commentators
Leviticus 19:18 cited above is the basis for Maimonides', Meir's and HaChinuch's mitzvot on loving, and on not taking vengeance or bearing a grudge. While they could be related to holding onto anger (the subject of this Mitzvah ), holding onto anger is not necessarily involved.
Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2
Classical sources
Maimonides
Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, 12th century) organized all 613 Torah commandments into a structured list. These linked items show where this Law of Messiah commandment overlaps with that classical framework.
Meir of Rothenburg
Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg (13th century, Germany) was a leading Talmudic authority. These reference numbers link this commandment to his halachic rulings.
MP60
Source and License
Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.
License: CC BY-ND 4.0 (Attribution required, NoDerivatives). CC BY-ND 4.0
Disclaimer: the original content is authored by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Rabbi Daniel Juster; additional notes or implementation details on this website are not part of their original work and do not represent their views.
Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 1 & 2
Copyright note: Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2