Shalom Bayit

20 Jun 2006

[m., pl. generally not used]; domestic tranquility; peace in the home; the highest ideal of Jewish marriage. One is even permitted to tell a falsehood for the purpose of restoring “Shalom Bayit,” as Aharon HaKohen, Aharon the Priest, the first marriage counselor, albeit unlicensed, would do in cases where a marriage had developed problems. He would go to, say, the wife first, and tell her that her husband was sorry and wanted to mend the relationship; then he would go to the husband and say the same concerning his wife. They would come together, each thinking that the other had taken the initiative; but no matter; the result would be a restored atmosphere of peach in the home.