shalom aleichem

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Shalom aleichem (or sholom aleichem) (Hebrew שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם shālôm ʻalêḵem; Yiddish שלום־עליכם Sholem aleychem) is a greeting version in Hebrew, literally meaning "Peace be upon you." The appropriate response is "Aleichem shalom," or "Upon you be peace."

This form of greeting was traditional among the Ashkenazi Jewish communities of Eastern Europe. However, it is very similar to the Arabic-language greeting used by many Muslims throughout the world, assalamu alaikum. The Christian Maltese phrase, sliem għalikom is cognate with both Arabic and Hebrew equivalents. The greeting is used in plural - so as to greet multiple people - even when greeting a lone individual. One religious explanation for this is that one greets both a body and a soul. But it ought to be noted that many plural Hebrew words are used in reference to something singular.

See also

• As-Salamu Alaykum
• Sliem għalikhom