What does shalom mean?

The meaning

The root sh-l-m means complete, whole: shalem is “whole”, leshalem is “to pay” – to make a debt complete. Shalom is therefore more than the absence of war: it is harmony, health and wholeness. “How are you?” in Hebrew is literally “What is your peace?” (Mah shlomcha?).

A name of God

Gideon built an altar and called it “Adonai Shalom” (Judges 6:24). The Talmud learns from this that Shalom is a name of God, and therefore one does not greet with “shalom” in a bathhouse. The Mishnah concludes its whole work with the words: “The Holy One found no vessel that holds blessing for Israel except peace.”

Peace between people

Pirkei Avot teaches: “Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace.” The sages say that for the sake of peace one may even alter the truth slightly, and that God changed Sarah’s words when reporting them to Abraham, to keep peace in the home (Genesis 18:12–13). Shalom bayit, peace in the home, is a central Jewish value.

Greetings

Shalom alechem (“peace be upon you”) is answered alechem shalom; Shabbat shalom is the Shabbat greeting. The Amidah, the Kaddish and grace after meals all end with a prayer for peace: “He who makes peace in His heights…” Jerusalem’s name is traditionally connected with shalem, and Psalm 122 says: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”