The BEMA Podcast - Episode 439: Talmudic Matthew — Anger

Release Date: February 27, 2025
Hosts: Elle Grover Fricks, Marty Solomon, and Brent Billings
Description: In this episode, the hosts delve into Jesus's teaching on anger as presented in Matthew 5:21-22, examining it through a Talmudic lens. They explore historical contexts, Talmudic interpretations, and the modern implications for Christian communities.

1. Personal Anecdotes on Anger

The episode opens with a lighthearted exchange where Brent Billings shares a personal story about his high school experience with anger management:

Brent Billings [00:17]: "I had to do an anger management class in high school because in a basketball game, I kicked a basketball up to the roof and knocked a light fixture out of the gymnasium."

This anecdote sets the stage for a deeper exploration of anger, highlighting its personal and communal impacts.

2. Reading and Interpretation of Matthew 5:21-22

Elle Grover Fricks introduces the central biblical passage:

Elle Grover Fricks [01:23]: "This week we're reading from an interlinear rather than a translation. I'll talk about why later. I promise it's still intelligible..."

Brent and Marty engage in reading Matthew 5:21-22 from an interlinear Bible, emphasizing the importance of understanding the original language:

Marty Solomon [02:03]: "Matthew 5:21. You have heard that it was said to the ancients, you will not murder. Whoever murders now will be liable to the judgment..."

3. Talmudic Perspectives on Anger and Murder

Elle provides a comprehensive overview of Talmudic teachings related to anger and murder, outlining five key points:

1. Moses's Error through Anger: "Moshe, the most revered and honored man and rabbinic tradition fell into error out of anger."
2. Impact on Scholars and Prophets: "If a scholar becomes angry, his learnedness leaves him."
3. Effect on Divine Presence: "He who is angry before him, even the Shekhinah, the spirit of God, is esteemed for nothing."
4. Destruction of the Second Temple: "Why Was the second temple destroyed because there was groundless hatred?"
5. God’s Preferred Traits: "God loves three. The one who is not angry, the one who does not get drunk, and the one who does not insist on his own way."

These insights underscore the severe consequences of unchecked anger within the community.

4. Sanhedrin and Legal Judgments

Brent explores the structure and function of the Sanhedrin:

Brent Billings [13:32]: "Would this have been called the bait, Dean?"

Elle clarifies:

Elle Grover Fricks [13:37]: "Yes, yes. That's the name for their court."

They discuss the little Sanhedrin (local courts with 23 members) and the great Sanhedrin (Jerusalem's 71-member court), explaining their roles in judgments and enforcing capital punishment for crimes like idolatry, fornication, bloodshed, and slander.

5. Modern Church Implications: Accountability and Community

Brent raises concerns about contemporary church structures lacking accountability:

Elle Grover Fricks [14:50]: "If we're thinking about what's happening in the church today and where are all the people going and what are the problems..."

They discuss the absence of robust accountability systems in modern, especially non-denominational, churches, which can lead to abuses of power and lack of protection for members.

6. Comparison of Jesus’s Teachings and Talmudic Traditions

The hosts contrast Talmudic teachings with Jesus’s approach, highlighting how Jesus reframes anger:

Elle Grover Fricks [18:25]: "How can we form communities in which these kinds of conversations do happen and happen in gentle, loving ways that don't destroy people and destroy relationships."

Brent adds:

Brent Billings [28:13]: "Jesus connects this level to specifically how you're talking about other people."

This comparison emphasizes Jesus’s focus on reconciliation and community-based solutions rather than punitive measures alone.

7. Miriam’s Story as a Parallel

Elle introduces the story of Miriam from Numbers 12, drawing parallels to the episode’s theme on anger:

Elle Grover Fricks [44:06]: "Miriam was confined to the outside place of the camp seven days."

They interpret Miriam's exclusion as a consequence of dishonoring speech, reinforcing the importance of maintaining community integrity through respectful communication.

8. Brene Brown’s Insights on Anger

Incorporating contemporary psychology, the hosts reference Brene Brown’s take on anger:

Elle Grover Fricks [24:50]: "Anger is a catalyst. Holding onto it will make us exhausted and sick."

This segment bridges ancient teachings with modern understandings of emotional health, advocating for transforming anger into positive actions like courage and compassion.

9. Gehenna: Understanding Its Context

The discussion shifts to the concept of Gehenna:

Elle Grover Fricks [20:36]: "So let's talk about Gehenna, which is not a hot tub. Where is Gehinom, Marty, and what are its distinguishing features?"

Brent elaborates on Gehenna's historical and geographical context:

Brent Billings [42:08]: "The north side of Jerusalem where a lot of everything... is now a residential district and valley."

They clarify that Gehenna represents a place of exclusion rather than eternal damnation, aligning it with ritual purity and community boundaries.

10. The Role of Language in Dehumanization

Elle emphasizes the power of words in maintaining or destroying community:

Elle Grover Fricks [30:37]: "Jesus cares about us dishonoring one another... how are we stewarding our relationships?"

Brent concurs, linking above teachings to the importance of language:

Brent Billings [32:24]: "I just know how deeply that urge lives inside of me... the word 'dishonor.'"

This segment highlights the ethical responsibility in communication to preserve community harmony.

11. Conclusion: Reconciliation and Healthy Anger

The episode concludes with reflections on building supportive communities:

Elle Grover Fricks [51:00]: "Do not focus on the discipline nature of this. Focus on the invitation of Jesus, which is, watch our anger, watch our tongue."

Brent and Marty reinforce the need for accountability, restorative practices, and the transformative potential of addressing anger constructively.

Key Takeaways:

• Jesus’s Teachings on Anger: Beyond prohibiting anger, Jesus calls for community-based accountability and reconciliation.

• Talmudic Insights: Anger disrupts personal, scholarly, and divine relationships, emphasizing the need for emotional control.

• Modern Implications: Contemporary churches can learn from historical accountability structures to foster safer and more supportive communities.

• Power of Language: Words can either harm or heal community bonds, necessitating mindful and respectful communication.

• Transforming Anger: Leveraging anger as a catalyst for positive change aligns with both ancient teachings and modern psychological insights.

Notable Quotes:

• Brent Billings [06:14]: "Jesus is raising the bar and he's treating all of God's people as having authority and ministry in a different way."

• Elle Grover Fricks [24:50]: "Anger is a catalyst. Holding onto it will make us exhausted and sick."

• Brent Billings [28:13]: "Jesus connects this level to specifically how you're talking about other people."

Further Resources:

• Episode Transcript: Available upon request or through the podcast's official channels.

• Bible Hub Interlinear: For those interested in reading along with an interlinear Bible, Bible Hub offers comprehensive resources.

Connect with The BEMA Podcast:

• Website: show@baymondiceptrip.com

• Support: Listeners are encouraged to support the ministry through donations and participation in discussion groups.