Shalom

THURS., JAN. 13, 1983, 6:33 AM
COLUMBUS, KAPLAN’S STUDY

I speak to you through your language, which is English, but I rather often close the teaching with the non-English word, Shalom. Wouldn’t you like to hear some of its meaning? In the educated segment of your culture, of which you are a part, there is the strong conviction that words should be clearly defined. You use dictionaries responsibly, and you were a bit concerned about My use of the term “panoply” some weeks ago, because it seemed to qualify only under the least appropriate definition. So what I tell you today may not square with what an educated linguist would say. Must I agree with the wisdom of American scholarship? Hmmm!

I shall not speak of the technical derivation and definition of the word. First, begin with the sound. It has a beautiful sound that rolls out of the voice mechanism… SHALOM. Yet as you say it you can emphasize it differently, making it declarative, questioning… or a truly final blessing. It can be used as a descriptive adjective, usually in relation to spirit, and this, then, reflects its sense of blessing.

In a language such as yours a word is defined by others, but Shalom cannot really be defined in such a systematic way. It includes the concept of peace, but it is more than peace. Still, it should communicate that after all has been said, after all has been done, no matter what conflict seems to remain, that conflict shall be set aside by the spirit of Shalom.

In logical terms this doesn’t make sense, for no word can have the power to negate arguments that remain unresolved. I simply offer that when I use it, it does have that capacity. And I offer you the same privilege. Use Shalom in this sense of peaceful resolution, even if hearers or readers do not share your understanding. Have faith that the spirit of the word will bring increased understanding to those with developed spirits.

Before you began to receive these Teachings from Me (can you remember back to such a time… doesn’t it seem far back?) you knew there was such a word, but it was foreign and rather non-functional for you. You were somewhat surprised when I closed with this term, which took on meaning as it related back to the Teaching which preceded it. Shalom can be just a word… like Goodbye or So long… but it isn’t, as I use it. It is a resolution of what has been taught, particularly if this has been controversial, upsetting, or critical.

It contains the sense of forgiveness, the spirit of Grace. In grace you know that I accept and love you no matter what you do or say, as long as you remain in relation with Me. You don’t deserve the grace, but it comes with the forgiveness. And why this action on My part, which seems to brand Me as a Spirit without standards? In order that you might be fresh and new, whole and energized, unbent by the mistakes of the past.