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Hebrew word and greeting From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shalom (Hebrew: שָׁלוֹם šālōm) is a Hebrew word meaning peace and can be used idiomatically to mean hello.[1][2]
 | This article possibly contains original research. (June 2009) |
As it does in English,[citation needed] it can refer to either peace between two entities (especially between a person and God or between two countries), or to the well-being, welfare or safety of an individual or a group of individuals. The word shalom is also found in many other expressions and names. Its equivalent cognate in Arabic is salaam, sliem in Maltese, Shlama in Syriac-Assyrian and sälam in Ethiopian Semitic languages from the Proto-Semitic root Š-L-M.
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In Hebrew, words are built on "roots", generally of three consonants. When the root consonants appear with various vowels and additional letters, a variety of words, often with some relation in meaning, can be formed from a single root. Thus from the root sh-l-m come the words shalom ("peace, well-being"), hishtalem ("it was worth it"), shulam ("was paid for"), meshulam ("paid for in advance"), mushlam ("perfect"), and shalem ("whole").
Biblically, shalom is seen in reference to the well-being of others (Genesis 43:27, Exodus 4:18), to treaties (I Kings 5:12), and in prayer for the wellbeing of cities or nations (Psalm 122:6, Jeremiah 29:7).
The meaning of completeness, central to the term shalom, can also be confirmed in related terms found in other Semitic languages. The Assyrian term salamu means to be complete, unharmed, paid/atoned. Sulmu, another Assyrian term, means welfare. A closer relation to the idea of shalom as a concept and action is seen in the Arabic root salaam, meaning, among other things, to be safe, secure and forgiven.
The word "shalom" can be used for all parts of speech; as a noun, adjective, verb, adverb, and interjection. It categorizes all shaloms. The word shalom is used in a variety of expressions and contexts in Hebrew speech and writing:
In Judaism, shalom is one of the underlying principles of the Torah: "Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are shalom".[3] The Talmud explains, "The entire Torah is for the sake of the ways of shalom".[4] Maimonides comments in his Mishneh Torah: "Great is peace, as the whole Torah was given in order to promote peace in the world, as it is stated, 'Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace'".[5]
In the book Not the Way It's Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin, Christian author Cornelius Plantinga described the biblical concept of shalom:
The webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight is what the Hebrew prophets call shalom. We call it peace but it means far more than mere peace of mind or a cease-fire between enemies. In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness and delight – a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be.[6]
The Talmud says, "the name of God is 'Peace'", therefore, one is not permitted to greet another with the word 'shalom' in places such as a bathroom.[7]
Biblical references lead some Christians to teach that "Shalom" is one of the sacred names of God.[8][9][10][11]
Shalom is also a Hebrew name, found commonly in Israel as both a given and family name. While traditionally masculine, it is occasionally androgynous, such as in the case of model Shalom Harlow.
Shalom can be part of an organization's name, including the titles of the following establishments promoting Israeli-Arab peace:
Shalom is used in Jewish religious contexts, such as the names of synagogues and parks, including:
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