Re: Thanks! +Shalom Alechem...

[moshe denburg <denburg...>]

Dear Dan,

You wrote:

>Pardon me for a few more questions, for Yosef or anyone else, 
>concerning the song Shalom Alechem:
>
>   1.  How would you translate "Shalom Alechem"?
>
>The composer is I. Goldfarb.
>
>   2.  What was his first name?
>
>   3.  When was he born?  (Perhaps he is also still alive?)

As to the first of your above questions, I would translate Shalom Aleichem
as: Peace be unto you.

The famous piece of liturgy under discussion is the hymn sung at the
beginning of the Sabbath, on Friday night, which goes:

'Shalom Aleichem Mal-achei hasharet...'

This is translated:

'Peace be unto you , ye accompanying angels'.

The traditional midrash concerning these angels, is that every person
returning home from the Synagogue on Friday evening is accompanied by
angels, who bring in the spirit and sanctity of the Sabbath. Upon coming
home, all sing this hymn, acknowledging the presence of the angels and
requesting their blessing and wishing them well.

All the best,

Moshe