לפגוע
If you spent time in Israel between 2000 and 2005, you certainly know the Hebrew word for terror attack - פִּגּוּע (pee-GOO-ah). This word means, literally, an act of causing hurt.
To hurt someone emotionally is לִפְגּוֹע (leef-GOH-ah). For example, לֹא רָצִיתִי לִפְגּוֹעַ בָּך (lo rah-TSEE-tee leef-GOH-ah bahkh) means I didn't want to hurt you (f).
These words originate in the Bible with the root פ.ג.ע (p.g.a) meaning encounter. Somehow the root became more loaded over the generations.
Today's "three-weeks" call to action
The Sages tell us that Jewish Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 CE due to senseless hatred, which includes hurting one another over petty disputes.
Let's make it a point today not to sweat the small stuff... so that we don't cause pain to one another, and to ourselves.
