The world over, God’s name is evoked in greetings. The Spanish hello – “Olah” – originated in Arab Spain from the term “O’Allah” – Allah of course being the Arab appellation of God. In Bavarian German they say “Gruss God”. In Hebrew, the common response when asked how you are doing is “Baruch Hashem” – Praise God, or Thank God. The Hebrew greeting “Shalom” is actually a name of God. In English, we still follow this custom when we part from someone and say “God speed” or “God be with you.”
