The act of saying shalom to another person can be interpreted in a couple of ways. Many believe that by simply saying shalom to another person. We are really asking, “are you at peace? Is everything okay?” By extending the greeting of shalom (peace), one shows empathy and offers the recipient of the greeting the opportunity to speak openly and at times, invent invite them to ask for help. Others believe that by extending the greeting of shalom. There is no question. They believe that we are bringing a blessing down from heaven bless the person with shalom (peace), and in this way, praying that everything should be well with the recipient of the greeting and all those close and dear to them.
Sadly, today most people do not have either of these intentions in mind when they greet one another. Their only intention is to acknowledge that they are aware of the other person’s presence, or to introduce a conversation.
The word “shalom” is a reference to the Holy One, blessed be He and should be taken very seriously. By greeting someone with shalom, one is extending a sincere blessing of peace and also invites blessings from heaven. This is learned from Abraham. When God assured him, “I will bless those who bless you.” (Genesis 12:3)
Greeting people with shalom (peace) is an aspect of “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). The importance of this greeting is further in the words of King David “seek peace and pursue it” (Psalms 34:14).
Throughout Jewish teachings it is taught that one should do their best to initiate greeting others. The act of extending a friendly, sincere greeting is so important that the rabbis of old taught, “one should act in peace with one’s brothers, relatives, and all others, even non-Jewish people one meets along the way. In this way one will be beloved in Heaven and well liked on Earth.” (Berachos 17a)
The holy rabbi had a habit of taking long walks through the forests near Esztergom (Hungary) where he would study and pray. He was well known to the many people he met by his smile and kindly ways. Everyone he met along his walks he would give a warm greeting. Every morning on his way to the forest he would pass a farm and greet its owner “Jó reggelt kívánok László úr (Good morning Mr. Laszlo).” At first the farmer ignored the rabbi and even turned his back on him, but the rabbi greeted him always with a smile and in a friendly way. One day the farmer returned the rabbi’s greeting with a slight nod of his head. After a time, the farmer would smile and nod at the rabbi, one day Mr. Laszlo asked the rabbi always greeted him.
The rabbi explained that the Torah teaches that we are to love your neighbor as yourself. Mr. Laszlo looked at the rabbi quizzically and asked what is Torah. The rabbi answered, “Torah it is the Jewish Scriptures.” The farmer was more confused and responded, “I heard from the priest that Jewish people don’t read the Scriptures and that the Gospel Matthew said that. (Matthew 19:19)” The rabbi patiently explained, “The Torah is older than the Scriptures the priest teaches from, but the teaching can be found in the Book of Leviticus. Leviticus 19:18)” Mr. Laszlo smiled and extended his hand to the rabbi and said, “I guess I have much to learn.”
Soon many refugees from Bohemia came to Esztergom in those dark days ahead of the Crusaders and the rabbi was not seen by the farmer. The Crusaders were drunk on blood and fell upon any Jewish person they could find. They even attacked the people in Esztergom to rob them of their food and valuables.
The farmer, afraid they might storm the church itself, ran to the church in the center of the town. He met with the priest and asked him if it was a sin to like a Jewish person. The priest explained, “The Jewish people do not share our beliefs, but we are taught by our Holy Scriptures that one of the most important lessons we need to learn is to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39). Why do you ask me this at this time?”
Mr. Laszlo told the priest how the rabbi greeted him each time he walked to the forest. The priest smiled and said, “The rabbi is indeed a holy man and he is here in the church. Would you like me to take you to him?” The farmer was surprised and asked why was the rabbi in the church. The Priest said only two words, “Sicut Judæis” (A papal decree intended to protect the Jewish communities from the excesses of the Crusaders. The Pope emphasized that Jews were entitled to “enjoy their lawful liberty.”) The priest continued, “We will protect them to the best of our ability. Now follow me into the catacombs”
The rabbi was teaching some children when he saw the grim faced priest approach. “Béke legyen veletek (Peace be unto you). Has the time come?” The priest smiled as Mr. Lazslo came from behind his red robes and said, “Good morning rabbi.”
Suddenly there was the sound of shouts and the attack began. The priest and the farmer ran to defend the church, the Jewish people hidden in the catacombs, and the holy rabbi. As far as the eye could see were Crusaders who demanded that the priest surrender all the Jewish people within the church walls. “No, they are under my protection!” was the only answer given. The horde pushed forward to storm the church, when a blast from a war horn was heard. For a moment there was silence as the Crusaders believed that more had joined in their attack. A second blast of the war horn was followed by a hail of arrows towards the Crusaders, the army of King Coloman of Hungary had arrived.
The rabbi and the Jewish people of Esztergom were spared from the carnage of the day by a simple greeting, shalom.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)
