1)

How is "Ma'aneh Rach Tashiv Chemah"?

1.

R. Yonah: [The author] begins with the gate of the tongue. He warns to accustom one's tongue to answer softly 1 . He shows the opposite about an answer with anger. A soft answer repels the anger of one who is angry at him.

2.

Orchos Tzadikim (Sha'ar ha'Shetikah DH v'Lif'amim): If one sees another transgress, he should protest and rebuke him 2 .

3.

Malbim: Chemah is stored in the heart; the fire burns. Af is external anger; it is revealed. When there is no Chemah with it, it is not so cruel, like a father who hits his son with Af, and in his heart he loves him. A soft answer turns away even Chemah, and the enemy becomes a lover.


1

Sha'arei Teshuvah 1:29: This is among the ways of humility.

2

I.e. if he protests gently, the sinner will repent, and dispel Hashem's anger. In Sha'ar ha'Anavah (DH Harbeh Anafim), Orchos Tzadikim explained simply, that a soft answer repels the other person's anger. (PF)

2)

What is the meaning of "u'Dvar Etzev Ya'aleh Af"?

1.

R. Yonah: One who speaks angrily when arguing, he arouses anger.

2.

Malbim: One who answers to pain the one who spoke to him, not only does it not turn away Chemah. It even arouses Af, to immediately take vengeance - "v'Af Elokim Alah Vahem va'Yaharog b'Mishmaneihem" (Tehilim 78:31).

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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