Shalom (Peace) is one of Hashem’s names. We conclude our tefillah with a bracha for Shalom and the word Shalom is the final word of the powerful Birkat Kohanim.

Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Levi says in Gemara Taanit Yerushalmi that the whole idea why the Chachamim Set up Eruvei Chatzeirot is for Darchei Shalom, to promote peace amongst our neighbours.

The gemara immediately follows up with a story to make the point.

There were 2 woman who didn’t like each other living in the same chatzeir. One time, when setting up the eiruv for their chatzeir, one of the woman was collecting the food to store at her house.

The other woman sent her family’s portion of the eruv to be dropped off by her young son.

When the son showed up and gave over their family’s portion to the other woman, the woman kissed and hugged him out of joy that the other woman was reaching out.

When the son got home, he told his mother what happened and the mother realized that maybe the other woman doesn’t hate her and maybe there was no reason to for any animosity.

After that, the 2 women started getting along and became friends.

In Pirkei Avot, we learn about Aharon Hakohen.

הלל אומר: הוי מתלמידיו של אהרן—אוהב שלום, ורודף שלום, אוהב את הבריות ומקרבן לתורה

Hillel says: Be of the disciples of Aharon—loving peace and pursuing peace, loving people and bringing them closer to Torah.

When 2 people were in a fight, Aharon was known to go over to one of them and tell them that the other wanted to make up but was too embarrassed to come over. Then Aharon would go to the other and say the same thing.

The 2 people would end up making up and end the fight.

Finally, in this week’s parsha, Yaakov tells Yosef to go check on his brothers. Yosef goes to look for them and the pasuk says:

וַיִּרְאוּ אֹתוֹ מֵרָחֹק, וּבְטֶרֶם יִקְרַב אֲלֵיהֶם, וַיִּתְנַכְּלוּ אֹתוֹ לַהֲמִיתוֹ

“They saw him (Yosef) from a distance, and before he came close to them, they conspired against him to kill him.”

The key word in the pasuk is “מֵרָחֹק” – from a distance.

When you see someone from a distance, you can make up all sorts of stories about the person in your head. But when you get close to them and get to know them, you see so much beauty in them.

There are too many fights in the world and especially among our brothers and sisters. Very often, when we judge others, it is because we haven’t gotten to know them.

We need to follow the lead of Aharon Hakohen and actually speak to people. When we do, we will bring peace to the world.

Next time you feel any negativity about someone, go over and say Shalom Aleichem. If we all do this, we can change the world.

You may also like:

Yosef’s Inspiring Story of Faith, Trust, and Forgiveness Yosef’s Journey of Bitachon and Hishtadlus Yosef’s Lesson: The Need to Take Action The Divine Design of Life: Struggles, Purpose, and Redemption The Power of Tefillah: Giving Hashem Our Heart and Soul Transforming Challenges into Growth: Insights from the Bat Ayin