Hello.
The Hebrew phrase "Hashem imachem" means "May God be with you."
Sources:
"Hashem imachem (may G-d be with you)"
From: Jersey Shore Torah Bulletin
http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/parsha/jersey/archives/miketz64.htm
'"Hashem imachem," "May God be with you"'
From: The Village Temple Shalom Newsletter
http://www.villagetemple.org/shalom601.html
Note, though, that another phrase, "Shalom aleichem," which means
"peace be with you," is actually a more common Jewish greeting or
farewell saying.
See: American Heritage Dictionary
http://www.bartleby.com/61/43/S0314300.html
According to the following web page, "Shalom aleichem" (or simply
"Shalom") is used in modern times in the essentially the same way that
"Hashem Imachem" was used in ancient times:
"This we learn from Boaz (in Megilat Ruth) and his exchange with his
field workers: He said, HaShem Imachem, and they answered,
Y'Varechecha HaShem (May HaShem be with you ? May G-d bless you). In
our time, we use SHALOM, one of G-d's nicknames(ATA SHALOM V'SHIMCHA
SHALOM, You are Shalom and Your name is Shalom) in greetings. Shalom
Aleichem, Aleichem Shalom, and Shabbat Shalom, are considered
fulfillments of this idea."
source: Orthodox Union: Torah Tidbits
http://www.ou.org/torah/tt/5759/bhaalotcha59/aliya.htm
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search strategy:
"god be with you", shalom
"may * be with you", imachem
"Hashem imachem", "Shalom Aleichem"
I hope this helps. |