LOVE WORKS DAILY 05/15/07 - Words Of Love: Shalom
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May 15, 2007, 11:50:32 AM5/15/07
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LOVE WORKS DAILY 05/15/07 - Words Of Love:
Shalom
May is here, and love is in the air...well, actually
Love is always in the air...if you just take the time
to stop and breathe some in! Love to you!
INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT:
(Great Thoughts By History's Inspired Thinking Men and Women)
(Great Thoughts By History's Inspired Thinking Men and Women)
They have treated the wound of my people carelessly,
saying, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace.
saying, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace.
- Jeremiah 6:14
TIM's BLOG
(Random Thoughts and Tim's Daily World):
(Random Thoughts and Tim's Daily World):
Good morning Tuesday. I'm going to keep my notes short
this
morning. My son said.."Shalom!" again this morning to me
as he got on the bus, so I thought I'd look at it a bit this
today. I have been hearing the word more and more lately...
Come join me in exploring it...
morning. My son said.."Shalom!" again this morning to me
as he got on the bus, so I thought I'd look at it a bit this
today. I have been hearing the word more and more lately...
Come join me in exploring it...
Shalom!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
(Brand New and Classic Love Works Essays 2001-2007)
(Brand New and Classic Love Works Essays 2001-2007)
Every morning, when my youngest son gets on the bus he
says...
"Shalom!"
"Shalom!"
I've asked him where he got this from and he doesn't know.
He simply says he's heard someone else say it and likes it.
He simply says he's heard someone else say it and likes it.
I like it too.
We have no history in our family of saying the word Shalom,
but when he says it to me, I just warms my heart.
but when he says it to me, I just warms my heart.
It is a lovely word.
But I frankly didn't know much about it. So as part of
another new series of essays...today I am going to look
at the word, it's origins, it's different meanings...and
take a glimpse into one of the Words of Love.....
another new series of essays...today I am going to look
at the word, it's origins, it's different meanings...and
take a glimpse into one of the Words of Love.....
Much of the "factual" data comes from the Wikipedia entry
on the word Shalom, which is compiled and edited from a number
of different contributors and sources. I take no responsibility
for it's accuracy. I am simply using it as a starting point.
Any other comments or additions are gladly welcomed.
on the word Shalom, which is compiled and edited from a number
of different contributors and sources. I take no responsibility
for it's accuracy. I am simply using it as a starting point.
Any other comments or additions are gladly welcomed.
Other than the encyclopedia entries...the remainder is simply
small commentary on my part. Not based on experience, only
impression.
small commentary on my part. Not based on experience, only
impression.
So...an overview of Shalom...
"Shalom (שָׁלוֹם) is a Hebrew word meaning well-being or hello.
As it does in English, it can refer to either peace
between two entities (especially between man and God or
between two countries), or to the well-being, welfare
or safety of an individual or a group of individuals.
It is also used as a greeting to either say hello
or farewell, and is found in many other expressions
and names. Its equivalent cognate in Arabic is salaam
and sälam in Ethiopian Semitic languages.
As it does in English, it can refer to either peace
between two entities (especially between man and God or
between two countries), or to the well-being, welfare
or safety of an individual or a group of individuals.
It is also used as a greeting to either say hello
or farewell, and is found in many other expressions
and names. Its equivalent cognate in Arabic is salaam
and sälam in Ethiopian Semitic languages.
Despite common belief, Shalom does not mean "peace"
in Hebrew in the general context. The Hebrew words for
peace are Sheqet (שקט) or Shalwah (שלוה). Only between two
political entities does "Shalom" mean Peace.
in Hebrew in the general context. The Hebrew words for
peace are Sheqet (שקט) or Shalwah (שלוה). Only between two
political entities does "Shalom" mean Peace.
1. Shalom aleichem (שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם; literally "well-being be upon
you"
or "may you be well"), this expression is used to greet
others and is a Hebrew equivalent of "hello". The appropriate
response to such a greeting is "upon you be well-being"
(aleichem shalom). This is a cognate of the Arabic
Assalamu alaikum. On Erev Shabbat (Sabbath eve), Jewish
people, have a custom of singing a song which is
called Shalom aleichem, before the Kiddush (blessing)
of the Shabbat dinner is recited.
In the Gospels in the New Testament, Jesus often
uses the greeting "Peace be unto you," a translation
of shalom aleichem."
or "may you be well"), this expression is used to greet
others and is a Hebrew equivalent of "hello". The appropriate
response to such a greeting is "upon you be well-being"
(aleichem shalom). This is a cognate of the Arabic
Assalamu alaikum. On Erev Shabbat (Sabbath eve), Jewish
people, have a custom of singing a song which is
called Shalom aleichem, before the Kiddush (blessing)
of the Shabbat dinner is recited.
In the Gospels in the New Testament, Jesus often
uses the greeting "Peace be unto you," a translation
of shalom aleichem."
I think that this abbreviated "shalom" or "peace be with you"
is the source of the meaning that my six year old son's usage.
is the source of the meaning that my six year old son's usage.
I have always heard Shalom simply followed by the response greeting
of Shalom. The above text helps to clarify.....and does this...
Of course, I am very much limited in my exposure to
those of Jewish background....so my hearing of Shalom is
similar to that of Rabbi....I know of it from it's
Biblical context only....although I thought the word
must mean much more than "Teacher" to many ....
"Shalom by itself is a very common abbreviation,
and is used in Modern Israeli Hebrew to both greet
and farewell. In this it is similar to the Hawaiian aloha
and the Indian namaste. In modern Israel among secular
people, it is being widely replaced in the 21st
century by "b'ye" (English) and "yallah b'ye"
(a mixture of Arabic and English.) This development
is greatly deplored by traditionalists and purists.
Shalom is still used by Jewish people around the
world, and even by many non-Jewish people.
The word 'Lom (and occasionally Sh'lom) have been used
(especially by Jewish teenagers) as the contracted
forms of Shalom in street slang."
This reminds me of the word "Awesome". This is a word that
is destroyed by modern usage and slang generality.
The Grand Canyon are Awesome...the Pyramids of Giza are
Awesome...the depth of the ocean.., a beautiful sunset...the vastness of space...
the nature of all things......God, man, infinity and "Why are we here?"
is destroyed by modern usage and slang generality.
The Grand Canyon are Awesome...the Pyramids of Giza are
Awesome...the depth of the ocean.., a beautiful sunset...the vastness of space...
the nature of all things......God, man, infinity and "Why are we here?"
These things are awesome....it's hard to deny.
A pop singer, a new flavor of chewing gum, how a pair of jeans fit,
or a email from a real babe....are a far cry from the
meaning "to fill with awe".
or a email from a real babe....are a far cry from the
meaning "to fill with awe".
I can see how reducing Shalom to a slang term...or replacing
it altogether could be very disturbing to those who
are indeed in "awe" of what Shalom says in a much deeper way.
it altogether could be very disturbing to those who
are indeed in "awe" of what Shalom says in a much deeper way.
Some other interesting facts:
"Shabbat shalom (שַׁבָּת שָׁלוֹם) is a common greeting used
on
Shabbat (the Jewish sabbath). This is most prominent
in areas with Mizrahi, Sephardi or Modern Israel
influence. Many Ashkenazi communities in the
Jewish diaspora use Yiddish Gut shabbes in preference
or interchangeably."
Shabbat (the Jewish sabbath). This is most prominent
in areas with Mizrahi, Sephardi or Modern Israel
influence. Many Ashkenazi communities in the
Jewish diaspora use Yiddish Gut shabbes in preference
or interchangeably."
" Ma sh'lom'cha (מַה שְׁלוֹמְךָ; literally "what is your
well-being/peace?") is a Hebrew equivalent of
the English "how are you?". This is the form addressed
to a single male. The form for addressing a single
female is Ma sh'lomech? For addressing several
females, Ma sh'lomchen? For a group of males or a
mixed-gender group, Ma sh'lomchem?"
well-being/peace?") is a Hebrew equivalent of
the English "how are you?". This is the form addressed
to a single male. The form for addressing a single
female is Ma sh'lomech? For addressing several
females, Ma sh'lomchen? For a group of males or a
mixed-gender group, Ma sh'lomchem?"
If only I could pronounce it....
"Alav hashalom (עַלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם; literally "upon him is
peace")
is a phrase used in some Jewish communities after
mentioning the name of a deceased respected individual."
is a phrase used in some Jewish communities after
mentioning the name of a deceased respected individual."
"Oseh shalom is the art of a passage commonly found as
a concluding sentence in much Jewish liturgy
(including the birkat hamazon, kaddish and personal
amida prayers). The full sentence is
"עוֹשֶֹה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו, הוּא יַעֲשֶֹה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ,וְעַל כָּל יִשְֹרָאֵל וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן
(Osĕ shālom bīmromāv hu ya'asĕ shālom aleynu v'al kol
Yisrael v'imru amen).", which translates to English
as "He who makes peace in His heights may He make
peace upon us and upon all Israel; and say, Amen."
a concluding sentence in much Jewish liturgy
(including the birkat hamazon, kaddish and personal
amida prayers). The full sentence is
"עוֹשֶֹה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו, הוּא יַעֲשֶֹה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ,וְעַל כָּל יִשְֹרָאֵל וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן
(Osĕ shālom bīmromāv hu ya'asĕ shālom aleynu v'al kol
Yisrael v'imru amen).", which translates to English
as "He who makes peace in His heights may He make
peace upon us and upon all Israel; and say, Amen."
"Related words in Modern Hebrew include l'shalem (לְשַׁלֵּם),
"to pay" and shalem (שָׁלֵם), "complete"."
"to pay" and shalem (שָׁלֵם), "complete"."
AND:
"Shalom is one of God's 72 names in Hebrew. Shalom is also
common in modern Hebrew in Israel, as a (male) given
name or a surname."
common in modern Hebrew in Israel, as a (male) given
name or a surname."
And finally, although I simply presenting some information
about the topic without adding much to it (which I think is
great actually), I wanted to conclude to a passage
from the Klamath Falls Friends Website (www.kffriends.org)
about "The Shalom of God". I'll simply let it speak for itself...
about the topic without adding much to it (which I think is
great actually), I wanted to conclude to a passage
from the Klamath Falls Friends Website (www.kffriends.org)
about "The Shalom of God". I'll simply let it speak for itself...
"Let me share a recent shalom experience of mine.
This past week there were a number of things stirring
in me. It wasn't exactly a peaceful stirring, either.
In fact, I initially felt pretty miserable and agitated.
I was noticing some of the old familiar patterns I get
stuck in that have a tendency to drain the life out of me.
I was tempted to just go to sleep, not literally, but
figuratively, and ignore what I was being asked to
pay attention to.
This past week there were a number of things stirring
in me. It wasn't exactly a peaceful stirring, either.
In fact, I initially felt pretty miserable and agitated.
I was noticing some of the old familiar patterns I get
stuck in that have a tendency to drain the life out of me.
I was tempted to just go to sleep, not literally, but
figuratively, and ignore what I was being asked to
pay attention to.
Instead, I asked God to hold me in the stillness,
to show me somehow that his love was present.
And then the peace came. It was one of those
thin places, they talk about in Celtic spirituality,
where God came near to me, and I came near to God,
as we like to say in Godly Play. I heard a familiar
Still Small Voice saying to me, "Fear not. I am
nearer to you than your breath." So I just breathed…In
and out…In and out…exhaling some of the old fearful
ways of thinking and being, inhaling the spaciousness
of peace and freedom. I think this is what it means
to live in the Shalom of God."
to show me somehow that his love was present.
And then the peace came. It was one of those
thin places, they talk about in Celtic spirituality,
where God came near to me, and I came near to God,
as we like to say in Godly Play. I heard a familiar
Still Small Voice saying to me, "Fear not. I am
nearer to you than your breath." So I just breathed…In
and out…In and out…exhaling some of the old fearful
ways of thinking and being, inhaling the spaciousness
of peace and freedom. I think this is what it means
to live in the Shalom of God."
Shalom aleichem
Love In Thought! Love In Word! Love In Action!
Love To You Today!
"May we endeavor today to increase our understanding and appreciation of
what others have given and contributed to us. And develop constant,
mindful consideration of how our thoughts and actions will BENEFICIALLY
CONTRIBUTE to others"
what others have given and contributed to us. And develop constant,
mindful consideration of how our thoughts and actions will BENEFICIALLY
CONTRIBUTE to others"
The best to you today in discovering the answers to life's difficult
questions!
questions!
A Final Thought:
Love is always the right thing to do. Even if it isn't the easiest
thing to do.
thing to do.
May we have compassion for the struggles of others, wisdom to
acknowledge our own, and courage to address them both every day.
acknowledge our own, and courage to address them both every day.
Respectfully,
Tim
Tim
This is a daily newsletter of LOVE WORKS DAILY:
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word and action. Compassion. Wisdom. Courage.
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Shalom aleichem
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Peace be with you.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Peace be with you.
(c)2007 T.Thomas Henry
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