("Let's table the discussion" is a new Adath Israel Shul initiative where a story or thought is presented in order to stimulate exciting and constructive discussion around our Shabbos table or among friends and children.) 

In the spring of 1894, the Baltimore Orioles came to Boston to play a routine baseball game. But what happened that day was anything but routine. The Orioles' John McGraw got into a fight with the Boston third baseman. Within minutes all the players from both teams had joined in the brawl. The warfare quickly spread to the grandstands. Among the fans the conflict went from bad to worse. Someone set fire to the stands and the entire ballpark burned to the ground. Not only that, but the fire spread to 107 other Boston buildings as well. 

Rashi notes that Makas Tzefardeiya began with a single frog.  Each time the Egyptians hit the frog, it would release many other frogs until Egypt was filled with frogs. The Steipler asks how could the Egyptians continue to hit the frogs if they saw that each hit was making their situation worse?

The Steipler answers that this is the power of anger. It defies logic. It has a person act in ways that just keep the difficulties growing and growing instead of finding solutions for the situations that brought on the anger in the first place.

In our lives, marriages, business relationships and social interactions invariably there will be times where slights will happen and people will get upset. However, taking the time to lead with a head instead of an emotional anger will help curb the destructive path of the fires of anger.

How might YOU better the way you handle situations that frustrate you?

How can YOU control anger?

  Let’s  “table” the discussion – by discussing it with our children, spouses, families and guests and open an exciting  discussion into our homes and community.