“The first focus in life here on earth is to be at peace with all people.”

~  Joel Ben Abraham Shemariah

Shalom, the all-purpose Hebrew word that is used as a hello and goodbye greeting, means peace. But the roots of the word also mean completeness, wholeness, health, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, and the absence of agitation or discord. “Mah Shlomcha?” (for a man), or Mah Shlomeych?” (for a woman), means “How are you?” How is your peace, your welfare, your wholeness, your completeness?

This excerpt above from the will of Joel ben Avraham Shemariah prioritizes shalom with all people as our first focus. We can hear the echoes of “Love your neighbor as yourself ” here. What does it mean, what would our lives look like, if we first and foremost strove to be peaceful,  complete, whole, healthy, safe, sound, tranquil, prosperous, perfect, full, restful, harmonious, and looked out for the welfare of and avoided agitation or discord with everyone in our lives? Sounds like a mountainous way to live, but well worth the effort! It would take all our time, but nothing would be left to do! The World would be whole, and at peace.

How is your “peace” today?

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Rabbi Joel Ben Abraham Shemariah (died 1799), lived in Vilna, in what is now Lithuania. He is known for the teachings left in his will.

Joe Laur is a father, husband, naturalist, executive, consultant, and a lowly rabbinic student. He can be reached at joe.laur@godsdog.net.