look

Everyday

1. To look is to turn your eyes to see something: look at the board. tree →
2. To look is to seem: You look happy. tree →
3. To look for something is to try to find it. tree →
4. To look after someone is to take care of them. tree →
5. A look is the act of looking: take a look. tree →

In the lessons

pointing to the cue word («Look at the word «lost»: it tells us to subtract»); in class «look at the board», «look carefully»; in safety «look both ways», «stop, look and listen»; in everyday life «look for», «look after», «look out!» (be careful), «look forward to»

Examples

• Not quite. Look at the word «lost»: it tells us to subtract. tree →
• Look at the word «each». tree →
• Look at the picture and count the birds. tree →
• Look both ways before you cross. tree →
• You look tired today. tree →
• I'm looking for my keys. tree →
• Can you look after my hamster? tree →
• Look out! A car is coming. tree →
• Take a look at this shell. tree →
• He stooped to look at it. tree →

Note

The teacher points at the deciding word. Trap: one word can mislead; read the whole sentence. We «look at» something; «see» is what reaches your eyes; «watch» is looking for a while at something that moves.

In Jewish tradition

It often means to look upon with care, or to look and understand. "Fair to look upon" means beautiful. In the Psalms and Lamentations, when God "looks on" or "looks forth from heaven," it means He pays attention and helps.

Interpretation. The rabbis explain that Lot's wife looked back and became a pillar of salt because she disobeyed the angels' warning not to look. Some read it as a lesson about longing for a sinful past. The psalmist's cry "how long wilt Thou look on?" is read as a plea for God to act.

Examples

• And Joseph was of beautiful form, and fair to look upon. (Torah GEN.39.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. (Torah GEN.19.26, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Leah's eyes were weak; but Rachel was of beautiful form and fair to look upon. (Torah GEN.29.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• Lord, how long wilt Thou look on? (Writings PSA.35.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• Till the LORD look forth, and behold from heaven. (Writings LAM.3.50, JPS 1917) tree →
• All men have looked thereon; man beholdeth it afar off. (Writings JOB.36.25, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

The teacher points at the deciding word. Trap: one word can mislead; read the whole sentence. We «look at» something; «see» is what reaches your eyes; «watch» is looking for a while at something that moves.