Words of Faith: Peace be with you

As we move through these weeks of holiness for so many, more and more Christmas carols fill the air. There are songs of hope for peace on Earth and goodwill toward all.

While it may not be the reality for many across our globe, peace is still the goal. With Hanukkah just past, Christmas in just a few days, it seems natural to feel the warmth toward others, hope that existing conflicts can be worked out and perhaps there will be Christmas ceasefires. If that cannot happen between the warring factions in Syria, then perhaps we could have a cessation of hostilities for a day or two between the politicians dominating our newspapers and websites.

Peace is such an elusive goal, yet the Judeo-Christian religions speak so often about it: a holy peace, peace between men and peace be with You. I’ve attended Christian denomination services and have noted that many of them have a moment in their service where the congregants turn from the service, to wish each other peace. Jewish services do this as well, with “Shabbat Shalom,” or “peace of the Sabbath” and “Shalom Alecheim,” or “Peace be upon you.”

Shalom, shalam, sholom, shulem, sholoim: these are all transliterations of the Hebrew, “שלום.” And the meaning? Nearly as infinite and varied as the names of God. Shalom is one of the names of God, as well as the word for peace, and the greeting hello and goodbye. And the peace conveyed in the word shalom is far greater than any love-beaded statement from the 1960s. This peace is one of wholeness, completeness, harmony and contentment.

Just about every major blessing or prayer in Judaism ends with a prayer for peace. One comes directly from the prophet Isaiah, “…nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4).

In these days of fear-mongering, peace seems an impossible goal. The peace of the Lord is a goal we can get closer to, if we start small. We can work to first find peace within ourselves, through spiritual conversations or times of quiet reflection. With that peace in our hearts, it is easier to reach out to others with peace.

Each of us celebrates the end of this calendar year in a meaningful way. This can be as an individual and also with our community, be it Diwali, Christmas, Hanukkah, Dongzhi, Kwanzaa, winter solstice, Festivus, or perhaps with just some quiet time.

May the Shalom of the Lord be with you and with us all, at this time and for all time. שלום.

This story was originally published December 21, 2015 at 9:51 AM with the headline "Words of Faith: Peace be with you."