Day 32/40 Shalom – More than a greeting: Consciously living and sharing peace
- Margit
- Nov 21, 2025
- 3 min read
When was the last time you genuinely wished someone peace? For our wedding, my mother-in-law gave us a ceramic picture with the words "Peace to this house." Often, just a glance at the picture in the entryway is enough to remind me how important such wishes are.
In everyday life, I experience how a sincere greeting of peace – for example, to the postman or visitors at the door – brings a smile and immediately makes the atmosphere friendlier. Shalom, Salam, Peace – in many languages we express the same wish: May you be well, may there be peace in your life.
Yeshua (Jesus) himself speaks this peace to us:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” ( John 14:27 )
The power of a greeting
Peace often begins with a simple greeting – like the heartfelt "Shalom," which means so much more than just "hello." It invites you to pause, connect with others, and create an atmosphere of togetherness. Let this greeting inspire you and discover how multifaceted peace can be in everyday life.
Peace greetings in different cultures
In Israel , "Shalom" (peace) is the common greeting. The traditional, longer greeting "Shalom Aleichem" means "Peace be with you" and is answered with "Aleichem Shalom ." Arabic also has a similar greeting, "Salam aleikum " (Peace be with you), with the response "Wa aleikum assalam," demonstrating the close connection between the cultures.
Shabbat Shalom – Peace on the Sabbath
A special form of greeting is "Shabbat Shalom." This greeting is used on the Sabbath, the biblical day of rest, and literally means "Peace on the Sabbath." With "Shabbat Shalom," one wishes not only a peaceful and restful Sabbath, but also spiritual peace, harmony, and blessings for this special day. It is an expression of appreciation for the time spent together, for pausing, and for reflecting on what is essential in life.
Peace in the Bible
The Bible is rich in verses that emphasize the importance of peace and shalom. Peace is described as a gift from God, a fruit of faith, and a deep, all-encompassing unity. Examples include:
Numbers 6:26: “The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace!”
Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose spirit is steadfast because they trust in you.”
Romans 5:1: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Leviticus 26:6: “I will give peace to the land, and you will lie down, and there will be no one to frighten you. I will destroy the wild animals from the land, and the sword will not pass through your land.”
Jeremiah 8:11: “They say, ‘Peace! Peace!’ but there is no peace.”
The deeper meaning of Shalom
The Hebrew word "shalom" (שָׁלוֹם) represents a state of comprehensive well-being, wholeness, and harmony—far more than just the absence of conflict. In Strong's Concordance, shalom is translated with terms such as peace, well-being, salvation, serenity, and welcome.
Shalom derives from the Hebrew root "shalem," meaning "to be whole" or "to be complete." It encompasses a person's physical, mental, and material well-being. In modern Hebrew, shalom serves as a greeting for both "hello" and "goodbye." In religious texts, shalom represents peace as a gift from God, bestowing contentment, security, and healing. The prophets speak of a coming Prince of Peace who will bring endless shalom.
Living Peace – An Invitation to Action
Shalom reminds us not only to wish for peace, but to actively live it – in faith, in everyday life and in our interactions with one another.
Let's not just wish for peace, but actively live it – by greeting each other with "Shalom," "Salam," or "Peace be with you," thus setting an example of connection and harmony every day. Take the first step and bring peace into your surroundings!
Call to action:
Start making peace visible today: consciously greet the people around you with "Shalom" or "Salam" and give them a smile. Let's spread peace throughout the world together!
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