As the Bible indicates, many forms of salutation and well-wishing were current in ancient Israel, often consisting of merely two or three words. By Rabbinic times, such Hebrew greetings had been extended occasionally with new phrases in Aramaic; and, from the Middle Ages, these were sometimes given Yiddish equivalents among the Ashkenazim of Central and Eastern Europe.

The Hebrew term which most commonly figures in such expressions is shalom (Peace), since it is closely associated with man's health, well-being, and natural state of mind. According to the sages, a person's character may be gauged from his walk, dress, and way of greeting others; if possible, one should “be the first to greet” and “he who fails to return a greeting is considered a robber”.

There are appropriate formulas covering every occasion in Jewish life, and a biblical, talmudic, or liturgical source can often be located for them. Where alternatives occur, these usually reflect Ashkenazi or Sephardi custom and expression. Jewish law prohibits any exchange of greetings on Tisha Beh’av or in a house of Mourning.