The Hebrew word for Peace in the Home is Shalom Bayit. May: Peace in the Home The Hebrew word for Peace in the Home is Shalom Bayit. Peace in the Home/Shalom Bayit means resolving conflict and promoting kindness in our households. Rather than focusing on inner peace or world peace, shalom bayit is about peace within the family. What Does Jewish Tradition Say About Shalom Bayit? The Hebrew root of the word "shalom" is sh-l-m, meaning completeness or wholeness ("shaleim"). Shalom Bayit emphasizes the importance of family members - spouses, siblings, parents, children, and all others who live together - working together to create a home that is beneficial for everyone.

Mindfulness Guide Try this exercise: The next time there is an argument or tension in the family, call a “mindfulness time-out.” Ask everyone in the family to close their eyes and take 5 minutes to just focus mindfully on their breathing. When thoughts about the argument come to mind, gently notice them and then let them go, coming back to the breath. After the 5 minutes, see if you all can return to the disagreement with a calmer approach. Ideas for Growth Many families hang an inscribed plaque or hamsa in the home that displays the modern Hebrew poem “Blessing for the Home,” known in Hebrew as Birkat HaBayit. It reads: Let no sadness come through this gate. Let no trouble to this dwelling. Let no fear come through this door. Let no conflict be in this place. Let this home be filled with the blessing of joy and peace.

Questions for Family Discussion What does your family look like (act like, sound like) when there is peace in your home? What is it like when there is not peace? Have each family member discuss what he or she likes best about the family when it is peaceful. Look at the Ideas for Growth on the previous page. What do you think of the poem Birkat HaBayit? Is it possible to have a home where sadness, trouble, fear and conflict do not enter? Aren’t these things a part of life? If so, how can we deal with those “intruders” in our peaceful homes? Maintaining peace in our homes requires us to use many of the middot we’ve already been studying. Go through the binder together and discuss which of the middot are most important in keeping our families peaceful. Portions of this month’s insert are taken from the PJ Library Blog for Families and Educators. http://pjlibrary.org/pj-blog/