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Rav Chinana bar Pappa explained contrasting verses: During a time of judgment (on the Jewish people), Hashem moderates His strength (for otherwise, they would be destroyed); but during a time of war (when He is defending the Jews), He uses the full extent of His power (to crush the enemy).
Rabbi Chama bar Chanina explained contrasting verses: When Hashem is dealing with the Jewish people, He does not show His wrath; however, with idolaters, he displays His wrath (to punish them). Rav Chinana bar Pappa explained differently: They are both dealing with the Jewish people. Hashem is saying, “Although I am full of wrath, I will deal with them as if I have no wrath.
And this (that He judges the other nations precisely) is like that which Rava said in his explanation of a Scriptural verse: The Holy One, Blessed be He, says to Israel: I do not judge you like I judge the idolaters, for you I punish like the pecking of a hen (a little bit at a time).
These discussions represents one of the most theologically dense treatments of divine anger and eschatological judgment in rabbinic literature. This passage, which serves as a primary interpretive lens for Malachi 3:19-20, deserves detailed analysis for its sophisticated integration of aggadic narrative, halakhic principles, and eschatological vision.
The relevant passage begins with Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi's interpretation of Malachi 3:20: "But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings." The Talmud presents this as referring to the same sun that will punish the wicked in the World to Come.
We explore divine anger fury and rabbinic vs kabbalistic solutions.