Peace and Peacemaking

Concept of Peace in Judaism

In Hebrew, Shalom, translates to ‘peace’, and it is a fundamental concept in Judaism, signifying not just absence of war but also harmony, fulfilment and well-being.
Jews value peace as an aspect of God Himself, they refer to Him as the HaShalom, ‘the Peace’. Conveying the belief in God as a peacemaker.
Judaism emphasises the interrelationship between peace with God, peace within oneself, and peace with others.
Concepts such as Shalom Bayit (peace in the home) and Shalom HaBrit (peace of the covenant) further highlight the role of peace in various facets of Jewish life.

Peace and The Torah

The Torah, the holy book of Judaism, emphasises the significance of peace via teachings like “seek peace and pursue it” from Psalms 34:15.
Many Jewish laws and commandments are centered around building and maintaining peace within society. It guides Jews on conflict resolution and encourages forgiveness, reconciliation and justice.

Judaism and Peacemaking

Judaism encourages its followers to be active peacemakers. Engaging in efforts to bring about peace, even when it requires great effort, is seen as a meritorious act.
Notions of justice, fairness and equality are intertwined with Judaic approaches to peace, encapsulated in the concept of Tzedek.
Jewish tradition recognizes the necessity for just wars whilst also promoting the aspiration for a peaceful world. The prophet Isaiah’s vision of a world where “nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” encapsulates this view.

Role of Rabbi and Synagogues in Promoting Peace

Rabbis, as Jewish religious leaders, play a crucial role in fostering peace within their congregations and in the wider community.
Synagogues are seen as peace sanctuaries, often promoting interfaith dialogues and taking initiatives to help the less fortunate in society.
Rabbis and synagogues thus facilitate the practice of Tikkun Olam, i.e., repairing the world, a Jewish response towards restoring peace and justice in the world.

Peace in Jewish Holidays and Rituals

Many Jewish holidays and rituals reflect the importance of peace. The end of the Shabbat (the Sabbath) is marked with a prayer for universal peace, the Havdalah.
High Holy Days like Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, underscore the need for peace by promoting repentance and reconciliation.
The Passover Haggadah concludes with the plea for peace - “Next Year in Jerusalem”, exemplifying the deep yearning for peace in Judaism.