Love of Israel 

אהבת ישראל

The Sages are effusive in extolling the virtue of peace, to the extent that they even stated that Shalom, Peace, is one of God’s names.

Hizkiyya said: Great is peace, as regarding all the mitzvot of the Torah it is written “if,” [e.g.]: “If you see” (Exodus 23:5);<footnote data-num="3"/> “if you encounter” (Exodus 23:4);<footnote data-num="4"/> “if a bird’s nest will happen before you” (Deuteronomy 22:6);<footnote data-num="5"/> “if you build” (Deuteronomy 22:8);<footnote data-num="6"/> which indicate that if the opportunity to fulfill the mitzva comes before you, you are required to perform it. But peace, what is written in its regard? “Seek peace and pursue it” (Psalms 34:15): Seek it in your place, and actively pursue it elsewhere.<footnote data-num="7"/>

Rabbi Yehoshua says: Great is peace, as [one of the] names of God is Peace. 

Rabbi Shimon ben Halafta says: The Holy One, blessed be He, found no receptacle more suitable to contain His blessing for Israel than peace, as it is stated: “The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace” (Psalms 29:11). <source>(Derekh Eretz Zuta, Perek Shalom 4:13; Mishna Okatzin 3:12) </source>

The Sages are effusive in extolling the virtue of peace, to the extent that they even stated that Shalom, Peace, is one of God’s names. 