Shalom Aleichem by Idan Yaniv | שלום עליכם - English Translation Lyrics

Shalom Aleichem (Hebrew: שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם, meaning "Peace be upon you") is a traditional song sung by Jews every Friday night upon returning home from synagogue prayers. It marks the beginning of Shabbat, welcoming the angels who accompany a person home on Shabbat eve. The custom of singing "Shalom Aleichem" before reciting Eshet Ḥayil and performing Kiddush on Friday night is now nearly universal among observant Jews. The song has many different melodies, and each stanza is typically repeated three times. Origin and Sources: This liturgical poem was written by the Kabbalists of Safed in the late 16th or early 17th century. A complete survey of existing manuscripts, compiled by Chaim Leiberman, can be found in Kirjath Sepher (volumes 38–39). According to a homiletic teaching in the Talmud, two angels—one good and one evil—accompany people on their way home from the synagogue on Friday night. If the home is prepared for Shabbat ("the lamp is lit, the table is set, and the bed is made"), the good angel pronounces a blessing that the following Shabbat will be similar, and the evil angel is compelled to say "Amen." Conversely, if the home is not prepared, the evil angel expresses a wish that the next Shabbat will also be unprepared, and the good angel must respond "Amen." The hymn "Shalom Aleichem" is thought to be inspired by this teaching. הללוהו מלאכים Haleluhu malachim Praise Him, angels בשמים biShamayim in the heavens הללוהו מלאכים Haleluhu malachim Praise Him, angels בשמים biShamayim in the heavens הללו־יה Halelu-Yah Praise the Lord שלום עליכם Shalom Aleichem Peace be upon you מלאכי השלום Malachei Hashalom Angels of peace מלאכי עליון Malachei Elyon Angels of the Most High ממלך מלכי MiMelech Malchei From the King of kings המלאכים hamalachim the angels הקדוש ברוך הוא Hakadosh Baruch Hu the Holy One, blessed be He שלום עליכם Shalom Aleichem Peace be upon you מלאכי השלום Malachei Hashalom Angels of peace מלאכי עליון Malachei Elyon Angels of the Most High ממלך מלכי MiMelech Malchei From the King of kings המלאכים hamalachim the angels הקדוש ברוך הוא Hakadosh Baruch Hu the Holy One, blessed be He שלום עליכם Shalom Aleichem Peace be upon you מלאכי השלום Malachei Hashalom Angels of peace מלאכי עליון Malachei Elyon Angels of the Most High ממלך מלכי MiMelech Malchei From the King of kings המלאכים hamalachim the angels הקדוש ברוך הוא Hakadosh Baruch Hu the Holy One, blessed be He