Our emotions can sometimes get the best of us. When we are angry or frustrated with something, we might forget to stop, think, and then act. It’s easy to react to an email or a posting that we disagree with or find offensive. And when we react too quickly, our anger can cloud our judgment and we could end up saying something we later regret.
In this week’s Torah portion, Moses gets angry with two of Aaron’s sons, Eliezer and Itamar. He thinks they’ve done something wrong through their offerings and scolds them without getting all the information. Aaron quietly speaks to Moses and explains that Eliezer and Itamar did nothing wrong, instead, they were watching out for their father.
This story from the Torah serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of pausing before reacting. Just as Moses allowed his anger to cloud his judgment, we too can react impulsively without considering the full picture.
In our daily lives, especially in the age of social media where opinions are shared freely, it’s crucial to exercise restraint and thoughtfulness in our responses. While it’s natural to feel passionate about issues that matter to us, rushing to express our emotions can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings.
It’s good practice to approach situations with patience and understanding. By taking the time to gather all the facts and consider different perspectives, we can avoid unnecessary conflicts and foster a culture of empathy and respect within our community.
This lesson extends beyond our interactions with others to how we handle our own emotions. Learning to manage our anger and frustrations constructively not only benefits our relationships with those around us but also promotes personal growth and emotional well-being. We all can benefit from trying to bring our blood pressure down amid the amount of commentary swirling around us.
We say it often, ‘Remember to breathe,’ and yet, we easily forget this simple tool to calm ourselves before reacting to a comment or posting. Compassion, understanding, and even forgiveness can help us strengthen the bonds that unite us.