“Of course with ‘Hi'” she said. “Who says ‘Shalom?'”
Well, her mother tries to. Especially recently.
Shalom is not just a less Western way of saying “hi” or “goodbye.” The word is packed with significance.
Shalom is one of God’s names, so that every time I greet someone, I am essentially blessing them with nearness to God.
Shalom also expresses a desire for wholeness –
shlemut.
It may take a drop longer to open e-mails or phone messages with “Shalom,” but the connection it expresses to the person I am writing is worth the effort.
Chassidic Jews still often greet one another “Shalom Aleichem” and “Aleichem Shalom!” – a small reminder of Eastern Europe and a heartwarming, genuine expression of love between people.