<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; "><p style="margin-top: 10pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial" size="4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; ">On the last daf of the gemara Berachos, we are informed that there is a distinction in bidding farewell to a living person as opposed to a person who has just died. R' Abin, HaLevi said:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "> </span>When a man takes leave of his fellow, he should not say to him, 'Go <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; ">in</span></b> peace'. but 'Go <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; ">to</span></b> peace'. For Moses, to whom Jethro said, Go <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; ">to</span></b> peace, went up and prospered, whereas Absalom to whom David said, Go <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; ">in</span></b> peace, went away and was hung. R' Abin, HaLevi also said: One who takes leave of the dead should not say to him 'Go <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; "><b>to</b></span> peace', but 'Go <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; ">in</span></b> peace', as it says, But thou shalt go to thy fathers <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; ">in</span></b> peace.</span></font></p><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial">So what is the difference? Peace is a goal towards which we aim and aspire, but it is a nearly unachievable goal, except for the rare, very righteous person.</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial">We find this in regard to Yaakov Avinu: "Vayavo Yaakov shaleim ir Shechem..." Bereshis: 33:18 (And Jacob came <b style="text-decoration: underline; ">in</b> peace to the city of Shechem...) In other</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial">words, Jacob came in a perfect state of peace to the city of Shechem after his daunting encounter with his brother Esau. Rashi comments on this verse: shaleim</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial">b'gufo -- whole in his physical being for he was healed of his lameness (shenisrapei metzalato); shaleim bim'mono -- whole regarding his physical possessions;</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial">and shaleim b'toraso -- perfect in his knowledge of Torah, for he did not forget his learning in the house of Laban (Shab. 33).</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial">Realistically, however, the average Joe or Jane does not achieve this illusive goal. So we say to him "Go <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; ">to</span></b>wards peace" because it is a continual, ongoing process for the living. We attempt to acquire as much of perfect, complete and whole peace as we possibly can. However, once a person dies, he or she can no longer strive for peace, so instead we pray they go IN peace. This is the peace they hopefully have already acquired because of the righteous deeds they performed during their lifetime.</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial">Lech l'shalom... </font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial">ri</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><br></font></div></span></body></html>