4 | OCTOBER 5 • 2023 
J
N

essay
Bodily Harm
H

ave you ever heard, 
“Your body is a 
temple?” Well, 
consider the destruction of 
the Jerusalem temples and 
consider the 
expressions we 
use that indicate 
bodily harm.
If you are 
angry, you may 
indicate that 
your ire has 
reached such 
a state that you may blow 
your top or tear your hair 
off. If really impressed by 
something, it may blow your 
mind. Remember that you 
should not try to ignore 
something by burying your 
head in the sand. Also be 
aware that if you stick your 
neck out, it may get chopped. 
If greatly amused, you may 
laugh your head off.

When viewing an extra-
ordinary event, you may 
describe it as eye popping. 
When deeply saddened, you 
may cry our eyes out.
An affront to you may put 
your nose out of joint. Do 
not jeopardize your position 
by an act that will cut your 
nose off to spite your face.
Envy is often expressed by 
saying you would give your 
eye teeth for something. Will 
your sweet tooth really be 
satisfied by a jaw breaker? If 
trusted with a secret, assure 
others that your lips are 
sealed. In for some verbal 
fun? Try a tongue twister. 
When faced with a situation 
that must be endured, you 
will be encouraged to take 
it on the chin. Anything 
abhorrent may set your teeth 
on edge.
Consider the effect 

on your 
extremities in 
the following: 
To convince 
someone to do 
something, you may 
have to twist his arm; you 
may wish to purchase 
something that costs 
an arm and a leg; you 
may tell an actor friend 
before a performance 
that he should break a leg; 
get laughter from someone 
when they realize that you 
were just pulling their leg; 
when putting effort into 
a job, you may work your 
fingers to the bone.
A sad event may result 
in you crying your heart 
out. If truly tragic, it may 
be heart-stopping or even 
gut-wrenching. A funny film 
may have you splitting your 
sides with laughter; a scary 

movie may make your skin 
crawl; if there is a bloody 
scene, it may make your 
stomach churn. The loss of a 
friend may break your heart. 
A great injustice may make 
your blood boil. Take a stand 
on a belief and assure others 
that the action will happen 
only over your dead body.
Now as you speak, you 
should consider all those and 
keep your eyes on the prize 
of good communication. 

Sy Manello
Editorial 
Assistant

PURELY COMMENTARY

Yiddish Limerick

Sukkot

Ich hob mine succah lib, dos iz zayer zayer shein 
Dos isn’t zayer grays, dos iz a bissl klayn.
 Mi nor a tishl un a chair
 mir kenen essn without a care
Yetzt kum arayn, it starts to rain.

Ich hob mine succah lib - I love my sukkah 
dos iz zayer zayer shein - it is very, very beautiful.
Dos isn’t zayer grays - it isn’t very big
dos iz a bissl klayn - it is a little small.
Mi nor a tishl - with only a small table 
mir kenen essn - we can say 
Yetzt kum arayn - now come in.

By Rachel Kapen