What's In A Word?

There is one word that conveys what we all seek in our personal relationships, as well as in our local and world wide communities. It is a Hebrew word that Jews everywhere greet each other with. Especially in Israel where you hear it almost incessantly on a daily basis, as friends and strangers greet each other in their homes, and on the street.

Repetition, even of a good thing, or Word, in this case, can cause one to lose the initial, Wow power, locked within it. As an example -- We become almost blind to the beauty of nature, whether it be a spectacular mountain range, or a flower garden, IF, we see it on a daily basis. After a short period of time, we simply don't notice it – it loses it's Wow effect on us.

Worse yet, are people, so caught up in the frantic pace of their chosen lifestyle, they barely notice the physical beauty around them. That is so sad! And also part of our human nature.

And so it is with this powerful Word. It flies off the tongue without much thought given to it because repetition has doomed it to the realm of Habit, where one doesn't have to 'think', just 'speak'.

What is this word that has caught my attention? It is the Hebrew word שלם - Shalom.

On a simple level this word means Peace, but it goes much deeper than that. It speaks of wholeness and well-being in your spirit, emotions, and physical body. It comes from a root word shalam meaning to be safe in mind and body; to restore; to finish or make amends; to be, or make completed; be at peace or peaceable, that is perfect and prosperous. We see from this that Peace and Prosperity come together as one in this word.

Another word from the root shalam is shalem which has to do with a requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks, as in a peace offering. Also means complete and wholeness.

“Shalom” also means to be well, happy, friendly, in good health, restful, safe, whole (in body, mind and spirit) and prosperous. I would say this is a WOW word. Think carefully on each one of these meanings and you begin to understand it's beauty and power, IF, spoken with high, thoughtful intention and not as a low, thoughtless habit. It is, after all, our higher thinking and speech that separates us from the animal kingdom.