This article explores the concept of peace from a Judaeo-Christian perspective, highlighting its significance in both traditions. It discusses the Hebrew word 'shalom' and its deeper meaning beyond the mere absence of conflict.
I’m just so excited for there to be no more war. Can you imagine that?” says Nomi Kaltmann. The Orthodox rabbi is discussing the Jewish conception of peace, which for Christians is one of the central promises of Christmas. Peace in the Judaeo-Christian tradition is much richer than merely the absence of conflict, though that is included. The Hebrew word for peace is shalom, which is derived from shalem, completeness or wholeness.
It is used in the Hebrew greeting shalom aleichem (peace be upon you), and Arabic uses an equivalent.The promise of an end to war that has Kaltmann excited is a verse from the ancient Hebrew prophet Isaiah, who says: “They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” Kaltmann says: “Just a quick look around the world today, it shows how destructive war is, how lacking in peace we are in so many places. Can you imagine? It’s going to be amazing. They’re not going to need any weapons, and all the money that goes to the arms industry is going to go towards agriculture and social programs.” In the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament), peace is presented as the perfect state of the world when the Garden of Eden was created in Genesis, Kaltmann says. Eden was the ultimate symbol of harmony between humans, nature and God, so throughout Judaism peace is one of the core values and highest ideals. “It’s the ideal state of the world where there is harmony, completeness, balance, and it’s also spiritual wholeness where peace is integrally tied to perfection, unity and oneness with God,” she says.Peace is a common theme throughout the Bible’s 66 books but, as Greek Orthodox theologian Philip Kariatlis observes, it is particularly relevant at Christmas because it celebrates the birth of Christ, the pre-eternal Word of Go
PEACE JUDAISM CHRISTIANITY BIBLE CHRISTMAS
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Shalom: The Jewish Conception of PeaceThis article explores the Jewish understanding of peace, going beyond the mere absence of conflict. It delves into the Hebrew word 'shalom,' its meaning of completeness and wholeness, and its significance in the Jewish tradition. The article highlights the ancient prophet Isaiah's promise of a world without war, as well as the biblical ideal of peace found in the Garden of Eden.
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