Hebrew, being an
efficient language, gets maximum value for its words. The word שלום [shalom] is defined in a Hebrew dictionary as peace or hello. In practice, the wary translator has to take
context into account when rendering this word into English.
When greeting
someone, it does mean hello, but sometimes is used in parting, when it
can be translated as goodbye. In
an argument, when someone says shalom, shalom, s/he means to say that the
discussion is over.
When leaving any
town in Israel, there is a sign that says סע בשלום [sa beshalom], which can be translated as either Godspeed
or have a safe journey, depending on the desired style. If someone sends דישת שלום [drishat shalom], they are sending regards. Of
course, Shalom is also a name, as in Shalom Hanuch, the singer.
By the way, the
title is name of a Hebrew song, meaning “we brought peace to you.”
I hope you יצאת בשלום [yatzata beshalom] from this post, meaning
you got away unscathed. So I all can say
is “SHALOM”
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