Every Sunday morning I begin my Bible study class with the traditional Hebrew Sabbath greeting “Shabbat Shalom”. It is my simple way of “blessing” the class as we begin our study in the pages of the Word of God. I continually make an effort to remember the rich meaning of those two little words I share weekly with the fellowship of believers. Perhaps as non-Jewish Christians many of us tend to regard the “Sabbath” as merely a physical day of the week…essentially Saturday for the Jews and Sunday for the Christians…which is set apart for worship. However the “Sabbath” (in Hebrew “Shabbat”) actually has a definitive meaning: ceasing from activity. In Scripture the seventh day of the week is called “Shabbat” as a day of “rest and of ceasing”… a day that is holy… set apart by the LORD. In Genesis 2:1-3 when God ceased from His activity of creation, He established the Sabbath as a time for man to refrain from his labor for a 24 hour period. Setting aside the “Shabbat” was also commanded by the LORD in the Mosaic Covenant following the departure from Egypt (1400-1300 BC). It is listed as the fourth of the Ten Commandments in the book of Exodus. The word "shalom” is often used as a greeting or a farewell though it can be used as a noun, a verb or an adjective. In this particular context of “Shabbat Shalom” it is used as a seventh day or “Sabbath” greeting and blessing.  The most common translation of shalom is “peace". However the word ”shalom” is derived from the Hebrew root “shalam” which in effect means “to be safe or to be complete”.  The salutation of “Shalom” packs into one little word the entire reality and desire of “wholeness, wellness, safety or completeness” for an individual.  Perhaps the most accurate way to translate “Shabbat Shalom” is “May this day of your ceasing, make you safe, complete and whole.” What a blessing… and what a privilege to know that as believers our safety, wholeness and completeness comes from the “rest” we have in Messiah Yeshua not only on the Lord’s Day, but every single day of the week! Shalom is a beautiful picturesque word.  In the Gospel of John, chapter twenty, we read of Jesus using “Shalom” in His greeting to His disciples.  Three times He specifically says  ”Peace be unto you” which, in Hebrew, is “Shalom Aleichem”.  Imagine…the prophesied Prince of Peace spoken of by Isaiah the prophet… actually stood and blessed His disciples with the greeting of “rest, wholeness, safety and completeness”… a magnificent "shalom" that He alone could give which would surpass all understanding. Even today, over two thousand years later, the greeting “Shalom Aleichem” can be heard on the streets of every city in Israel! Another modern usage of shalom may be found in a question which one person asks another…  “Mah shlom’kha” (to a male) or “Mah shlo’mekh” (to a female) which literally means “What, or how is your shalom?” Quite profound isn’t it? Imagine instead of being asked “Hey, how’s it going?” we were asked “How is your wholeness… your completeness today?” I know that it would really give me pause. I couldn’t just give some “random” answer. Almost immediately it would turn my heart inward towards the things of the Lord. Shadings of shalom are painted throughout the Word of God, yet the only way it can actually be experienced is in a living relationship with the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. For those who know Him, He is the One true refuge, the Source of all rest, the Author of all peace and the One who completes. He calls for all of us who are weary and heavy laden to come unto Him for the perfect shalom that is His alone to give! Though I have many favorite passages of Scripture which speak of  “shalom” perhaps one of my most favorite is found in the Aaronic blessing of Numbers 6:24-26: “The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you shalom”. What a wonderful picture of "the realm" of shalom! As we look to the LORD alone ...He blesses and guards us...  graces us with His presence and favor and looks upon us ... giving us His shalom. In the quiet place where the cool waters of His Spirit flow to our souls the refreshing rivers of wholeness and completeness and His perfect rest come to soothe our lives. Praise be to Him for His goodness and His lovingkindness....  Shalom Aleichem!