Hashem is slow to anger (Bamidbar 14:18)

Rashi tells us about a conversation that Hashem and Moshe have. Hashem was writing, “Hashem is slow to anger,” and Moshe asked him if this is towards the righteous. Hashem replied it was also for the wicked. Moshe replied that the wicked should perish. Hashem told Moshe that he would need this in the future for wicked people. The Jews sinned by the Golden Calf and with the Spies (this week’s parsha). Moshe then came to Hashem and said to Him that He is slow to anger. Hashem said that I thought I should only be slow to anger to the righteous. Moshe responded that Hashem said He is also slow to anger to the wicked.

Everyone sins. We all need Hashem to be slow to anger.

Recently, there was someone who I thought was very righteous who did something which I thought was very wrong. Not only did I think it was wrong, but my Rav thought it was wrong and I also found out that other members of my community were upset about what was done. How could this person do such a thing? It was very wicked. I was having a hard time forgiving this person.

Then, I remembered that Hashem is slow to anger, even to the wicked. Everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes people make big mistakes. But Hashem is slow to anger, even when we make big mistakes.

If Hashem is slow to anger, we also should be slow to anger. If Hashem is forgiving, we also should be forgiving.

Back to my story, I saw this person who did something wrong again and after thinking about this, I saw the person in a different light. This person is still a great person. The person made a mistake, but that does not mean this person is not good.

When you are slow to anger, you are able to forgive people. You are able to see that people are really good people.

Good Shabbos!
-y.e.s.
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