[Mesorah] Shalom Aleikhem

[T613K at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/24/2006 3:48:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
hlampel at thejnet.com writes:

:> Is  there a reason why we say ""Shalom Aleikhem"" to individuals, not 
:>  ""Shalom Alekha/ayikh""?

I was under the impression that the plural  form was introduced under the 
influence of the (German/European?) usage that  considers the plural form a mark 
of respect. Do Sephardim also say "Shalom  Aleichem" to individuals?

Zvi Lampel 


>>>>>
I believe the Arabic equivalent is also plural -- salaam aleikem even to an  
individual, if I'm not mistaken.  So I would guess that Sefardim use the  
plural form too.  Just my guess.
 
[The other day I was in the supermarket when a ditzy non-Jewish woman said  
to me, "Sholom aleichem" and then said the same thing to a (non-Jewish)  
worker.  She then "explained" to him, "I am sending greetings from my  spirit to 
your spirit."  ]

 


--Toby  Katz
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