harm

Everyday

1. Hurt, damage or injury to a person, animal or thing. tree →
2. Verb: to hurt or damage someone or something. tree →
3. No harm in: it is not wrong or dangerous: «There's no harm in asking». tree →

In the lessons

In safety and kindness lessons: do no harm — don't hurt people, animals or the environment; some substances (bleach, medicine) can harm you; too much sun harms skin; pollution harms wildlife. In stories: a villain wants to harm someone; a hero keeps them from harm. Phrases: do harm, cause harm, come to no harm, out of harm's way, no harm done, there's no harm in, harmful, harmless.

Examples

• Smoking harms your lungs. tree →
• The dog won't harm you. tree →
• Litter can harm wild animals. tree →
• Keep cleaning products out of harm's way. tree →
• There's no harm in asking for help. tree →
• No harm done — it was just a spilled drink. tree →
• The lost kitten came to no harm. tree →
• Too much sugar can harm your teeth. tree →
• They had done me no harm. tree →

Note

Uncountable noun: «a lot of harm», never «a harm». Adjectives: harmful (causes harm), harmless (causes no harm). Regular verb: harmed. «Harmless» does not mean you should touch it — many harmless-looking things (berries, animals) can still hurt you.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah, "harm" often means a serious injury or a disaster that befalls someone. In Exodus it means injury to a woman or child, which is repaid with "life for life." In the later books it also means to hurt someone: God tells that His anointed ones and prophets must not be harmed, and Proverbs warns against quarrelling with one who has done no harm.

Interpretation. "Life for life" is read by the rabbis as a demand for fair money payment for damage, not literal revenge. Jacob's fear for Benjamin's safety shows the sorrow of a father. Proverbs is read as teaching peace and fairness toward neighbours.

Examples

• But if any harm follow, then thou shalt give life for life, (Torah EXO.21.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said: 'Lest peradventure harm befall him.' (Torah GEN.42.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• and if ye take this one also from me, and harm befall him, ye will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. (Torah GEN.44.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• 'Touch not Mine anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.' (Writings 1CH.16.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. (Writings PRO.3.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• Neither doth one thrust another, they march every one in his highway; and they break through the weapons, and suffer no harm. (Prophets JOL.2.8, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable noun: «a lot of harm», never «a harm». Adjectives: harmful (causes harm), harmless (causes no harm). Regular verb: harmed. «Harmless» does not mean you should touch it — many harmless-looking things (berries, animals) can still hurt you.