"Hey!" is a common
informal greeting among friends in Western culture that can evoke a feeling of close connection with another. Another contemporary way to say hello: How’s it going? is an open ended greeting that really is not wanting or expecting a deeper response. It would be out of bounds to actually respond with a detailed recollection of recent events.
The Hebrew greeting, similar to this, “Ma Shlomkha?” is a bit more specific and sincere, meaning, “How are you?” This communicates a more genuine concern. Literally, you are asking “What is your peace?”
“Shalom, shalom,” is a blessing contained in a greeting. It can also be used when departing, to bless another person. In history, among covenant (faith) people, when uttered from a sincere heart, an actual blessing is imparted.
The meaning of shalom to the person who speaks the Hebrew language is actually much deeper than the English equivalent, “peace.” While “peace” is the core meaning, it actually carries additional weight, a wish for prosperity, safety and protection and restoration in every area of life.
A popular definition that captures the weight of shalom: ”Nothing missing, nothing lacking, nothing broken.” It is helpful when praying peace over a person or group of people to speak this in their hearing.
There are some that break down the ancient Hebrew hieroglyphs that form the word shalom, four Hebrew letters, to mean Destroy Authority Binds Chaos. That is, similar to other eastern languages, each letter has a meaning of its own.
To me, this elevates the blessing, “Shalom” to another level. It is more than a passive wish for peace and well-being. It recognizes that there are unseen forces in this world that want to disrupt the harmony in our lives. By speaking shalom we can activate a power that encompasses a person or home, protecting them from anything that wishes to disrupt their happiness or divine order. Shalom DESTROYS the AUTHORITY that BINDS us to CHAOS. Read that again.
Jesus definitely understood this. When commissioning his twelve to go ahead of him into the various towns where he was about to visit and preach, he told them, “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you.” (Luke 10:5-6, NLT)
Leonard Nimoy, who helped develop the character Spock on the series Star Trek, introduced the concept of shalom with the Vulcan greeting, "Live long and prosper!” with his hand extended in blessing. This he adopted from his childhood remembering the rabbinical blessing.
I also recall how the hippies around me in the 70s used to say “Peace, man!” when coming and going. It is a shame that more of us didn't adopt this (although the so-called peace sign that was sewn on so many hippie jackets and jeans was an upside down broken cross, implying that a destruction of Christianity would lead to World Peace)!
Unfortunately, our contemporary greetings lack any weight to impart a blessing. I challenge everyone reading this to begin speaking peace and blessing to the people around you. In a time of turmoil and chaos it may make a difference in your own home as well as your personal circle of friends and acquaintances.
At first it may seem awkward but practice speaking the shalom blessing and watch the atmosphere around you begin to change!
