Daily Chizuk #1171

Parshiyot Matot-Masei
In this week's parashah, Parashat Matot, Hashem commands Beneh Yisrael to wage war against, and annihilate, the nation of Midyan. We read that the men who went out to war killed the men of Midyan, but brought back the women as captives. The Torah then relates, ויקצף משה על פקודי החיל - Moshe was angry at the generals for this mistake. Rashi comments that since Moshe became angry, Hashem caused him to forget the halachot regarding the process of koshering the utensils which were brought from Midyan.
We learn from here Hashem never wants us to become angry, even when it comes to things which really matter, such as fulfilling His will. Let us imagine a person sitting in a study hall trying to learn Torah, and some people next to him are loudly chattering about idle matters. After twenty minutes of unsuccessfully trying to concentrate, the man is furious and shouts, "Can't you see I am trying to learn? Go talk somewhere else!" This man means well, and he sincerely desires to fulfill Hashem's will. But he fails to realize that Hashem's will is for him to control his temper and speak calmly and courteously.
Shabbat shalom!