The Shalom Aleichem hymn is
sung upon returning home from the Synagogue on Friday night
and finding one’s home set in a festive Shabbos atmosphere,
A Good Angel declares, ‘May it be [God's] will that it also
be so next Sabbath.’ But if the home is not enveloped in the
Shabbos mood, and there is G-d forbid, tension and strife in
the home, that compels the good angel to answer ‘Amen’ to
the evil angel’s declaration 'May it be [God's] will that it
also be so next Sabbath.'
This small incident involving Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaKohen
Kagan zt’l, the famed Chafetz Chaim illustrates the
importance of entering the Shabbos in peace and serenity.
THE CHAFETZ CHAIM AND THE WAGONER'S
"SHALOM ALEICHEM"
The wagoner
returned from the beth midrash and began to hum the "Shalom
Aleichem" (Sabbath chant) in a sad tone, which was very
unusual for him. He paced his house in a nervous and
irritable manner. He had argued with his wife before going
to the beth midrash: and he couldn't muster up his usual
cheerful expression to say "Shalom Aleichem" joyously.
How surprised he was when the door opened and in walked
Rabbi Israel Meir, (as the Chafetz Chaim was called by the
towns people). It was obvious that the famous rabbi knew
about the argument between the wagoner and his wife. The
Chafetz Chaim had come to return domestic tranquility to the
wagoner's home. He spoke a great deal until the couple was
reconciled, and a smile of happiness spread across the tired
face of the wagoner.
And when the Chafetz Chaim left the house the wagoner
finished the song "Shalom Aleichem" with joy in his heart.
(The Hafetz
Hayyim, His Life and Work, Volume I, p. 100)
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