Cantor Azi Schwartz, Park Avenue Synagogue:
First, shalom aleichem, שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם, is a spoken greeting in Hebrew, meaning “peace be upon you.” The appropriate response is aleichem shalom, (“unto you peace”) עֲלֵיכֶם שָׁלוֹם. The plural form “עֲלֵיכֶם” is used even when addressing one person. This greeting is traditional among Jews throughout the world.
Second, the greeting is extended to ministering angels around the Shabbat table in the 16th or 17th century kabbalistic poem and song. The custom of singing “Shalom Aleichem” on Friday night is universal among religious Jews.
Many different melodies have been written for Shalom Aleichem. As one of her last acts, Debbie Friedman shared her version of “Shalom Aleichem,” believing this song that would become her legacy. [I’m searching for that audio file.]
שָלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָרֵת מַלְאֲכֵי עֶלְיוֹן
מִמֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְלָכִים הַקָדוֹשׁ בָרוּךְ הוּא
Shalom aleichem mal’achei ha-sharet mal’achei Elyon,
mi-melech malchei ha-milachim ha-kadosh Baruch Hu.
Peace upon you, ministering angels, messengers of the Most High,
sent by the king, King of Kings, the Holy One, Blessed be He.
בּוֹאֲכֶם לְשָלוֹם מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָלוֹם מַלְאֲכֵי עֶלְיוֹן
מִמֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְלָכִים הַקָדוֹשׁ בָרוּךְ הוּא
Bo’achem le-shalom mal’achei ha-shalom mal’achei Elyon,
mi-melech malchei ha-milachim ha-kadosh Baruch Hu.
Come in peace, messengers of peace, messengers of the Most High,
sent by the king, King of Kings, the Holy One, Blessed be He.
בָרְכוּנִי לְשָלוֹם מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָלוֹם מַלְאָכֵי עֶלְיוֹן
מִמֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְלָכִים הַקָדוֹשׁ בָרוּךְ הוּא
Barchuni le-shalom mal’achei ha-shalom mal’achei Elyon,
mi-melech malchei ha-milachim ha-kadosh Baruch Hu.
Bless me with peace, messengers of peace, messengers of the Most High,
sent by the king, King of Kings, the Holy One, Blessed be He.
{בְשִבְתְכם לְשָלוֹם מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָלוֹם מַלְאָכֵי עֶלְיוֹן
מִמֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְלָכִים הַקָדוֹשׁ בָרוּךְ הוּא}
{Beshivtechem le-shalom mal’achei ha-shalom mala’chei Elyon,
mi-melech malchei ha-milachim ha-kadosh Baruch Hu.}
{May your stay be in peace, messengers of the peace, messengers of the Most High,
sent by the king, King of Kings, the Holy One, Blessed be He.}
בְצֵאתְכֶם לְשָלוֹם מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָלוֹם מַלְאָכֵי עֶלְיוֹן
מִמֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְלָכִים הַקָדוֹשׁ בָרוּךְ הוּא
Be-Tzeitchem le-shalom mal’achei ha-shalom mal’achei Elyon,
mi-melech malchei ha-milachim ha-kadosh Baruch Hu.
Go in peace, messengers of peace, messengers of the Most High,
sent by the king, King of Kings, the Holy One, Blessed be He.