משלי, פרק כ״ד, פסוק י״ח

Finding joy in the downfall of an enemy is a common human reaction, yet it carries severe moral and spiritual risks. Taking pleasure in another person's suffering can completely reverse a situation, bringing harm directly to the one who celebrates.

God strongly opposes joy rooted in vengeance and a lack of compassion. Celebrating another person's ruin exposes a deep character flaw, revealing inner cruelty and malice [רלב״ג, מלבי״ם]. While God knows all things, His attention in these moments is focused deeply on human intentions. He examines whether the feeling comes from a pure love of justice seeing wrongdoing punished, or if it stems from personal hatred and a desire for revenge, which He finds unacceptable [אלשיך]. Furthermore, the very act of gloating can unexpectedly awaken God's mercy toward the suffering enemy [אלשיך].

The result of this vindictive joy is that God removes His anger from the fallen enemy. One perspective suggests that when God sees people enjoying the enemy's failure rather than showing pity, He no longer wishes to add to their pain. In this way, the gloater indirectly saves the enemy from receiving their full punishment [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another viewpoint notes that God compares the enemy's past sins with the current cruelty of the person celebrating. The sheer vindictiveness of the gloater actually makes the enemy appear righteous by comparison [מלבי״ם].

Ultimately, the primary approach among commentators highlights a dangerous shift. Removing the anger from the enemy does not simply mean their punishment ends. Instead, the divine anger is lifted from the enemy and redirected straight toward the person who rejoiced in their fall [רלב״ג, אלשיך, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].