GREETINGS (Rethinking "How Are You" in Jewish Tradition)

For some, greetings are effortless; for others, they feel like an awkward ritual to endure. Yet these brief, everyday exchanges – repeated countless times – carry far more meaning than we tend to notice. Greetings: Rethinking “ How Are You?” in Jewish Tradition takes readers on a thoughtful and often wry journey into the simple question, “ How are you?” Beginning with familiar social discomfort and personal reflection, it explores how greetings function in modern culture and what they reveal about human connection. Turning to Jewish tradition, the book examines the depth and significance behind these exchanges. Drawing on stories of the Baal Shem Tov, teachings from the Mishnah, and the earliest greetings in the Bible, it reveals a striking continuity: the way we greet one another has always mattered. With touches of linguistics, literature, and even a hint of Kabbalah, Greetings offers an engaging perspective on a simple act, inviting readers to discover the deeper conversation within everyday words.