Shalom Aleichem

Origins in Safed

The hymn emerged during the late sixteenth or early seventeenth century from the kabbalists living in Safed. Its earliest printed appearance is found in the work Tikunei Shabbos. The text is rooted in a Talmudic teaching describing two heavenly messengers, one good and one evil, who accompany worshippers walking back from Friday services. If the household has prepared for the Sabbath with a lit lamp, an arranged table, and a covered couch, the good angel prays that the next Sabbath will be equally well prepared, compelling the other angel to agree.

How it is sung

Singing takes place at home immediately after the Friday night synagogue service. It is recited right before other Sabbath opening customs, namely the song Eshet Chayil and the Kiddush blessing over wine. Many households repeat each stanza three times over. Variations exist between different Jewish regional traditions. Mizrahi and certain Sephardi communities include an additional line near the end wishing peace upon the resting angels. Several rabbinic commentators across history have suggested slight changes to the phrasing to ensure respectful grammar when addressing heavenly messengers.

Melodies across time

Singers use many different tunes to chant the poem. The most famous slow melody was composed by Rabbi Israel Goldfarb in May 1918 at Columbia University in New York, later published alongside his brother Samuel. Because of its global spread, many people came to assume it was an ancient folk tune. Another widespread, faster melody was written by Rabbi Shmuel Brazil. Other versions include a traditional Moroccan melody shared with the song El Rey Nimrod, a contemporary joyful rendition by Idan Yaniv and Kinderlach, and a setting by Debbie Friedman.

How Shalom Aleichem is kept

On Friday evening, worshippers return home from the synagogue to a household readied for Shabbat with lit lights and a set table. Before sitting down to the Sabbath meal, family members and guests stand together to sing Shalom Aleichem. The hymn is typically sung in Hebrew, with each stanza chanted three times. The singing directly precedes the chanting of Eshet Chayil and the recitation of Kiddush over a cup of wine.

When and where

The song is sung every Friday evening as night falls, marking the weekly arrival of Shabbat. It takes place as soon as worshippers return home from the evening synagogue service and before beginning the Sabbath dinner.

The custom originated in Safed in the late sixteenth or early seventeenth century. Today it is observed in Jewish homes around the world, across Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and Mizrahi communities.

What Shalom Aleichem means

The hymn symbolises the spiritual welcome extended to two angels sent to inspect and bless the home for Shabbat. By keeping a neat, prepared space with lit lamps and a laid table, families invite peace and divine favor into their dwelling for the entire week ahead.

Questions people ask about Shalom Aleichem

See also

SukkotA seven-day autumn Jewish festival of temporary booths, harvest prayers and hospitalityMishloach manotFood parcels exchanged on Purim, so everyone has plenty for the day's festive mealPassover SederA ritual meal opening Passover, told over wine, matzah and symbolic foodsSukkahA temporary hut with a branch roof, lived in for the seven days of Sukkot

Good reading and sources

• Shalom Aleichem (liturgy) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.